Politics
Gov Zulum: ‘We Rejected Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill Because It Will Only Benefit Lagos, The President Must Withdraw It’
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has provided further insight into why the northern region and other stakeholders oppose the Tax Reform Bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
In an interview with BBC News Hausa, Zulum argued that the proposed reforms would disproportionately benefit Lagos State while hindering economic progress in the North. He also noted that the negative impact of the reforms would extend beyond the northern region to other parts of the country, including the South East, South South, and South West.
Zulum specifically mentioned that states like Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo could face economic challenges under the proposed reforms. Although some proponents of the bill argue that it could place Lagos State at a disadvantage, Zulum dismissed these claims. He emphasized that the North does not wish for Lagos to suffer but maintains that the reforms, as currently proposed, are unfair to other regions.
Governor Zulum urged President Tinubu to reconsider the Tax Reform Bills, pointing out that the northern region, which delivered 60% of Tinubu’s votes in the last election, deserves fair treatment. He also dismissed narratives suggesting that the North does not support Tinubu’s administration, describing such claims as misleading.
“We are not opposing the President,” Zulum stated, “but we are asking him to withdraw these tax reform bills for the sake of fairness and national unity.”
Zulum’s remarks come amidst ongoing debates and widespread criticism of the Tax Reform Bills. Despite the backlash, the Senate advanced the bills to the second reading following a debate led by Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele on Thursday. The move has intensified discussions over the perceived regional and economic implications of the reforms.
Critics argue that the reforms risk deepening the disparity between states, favoring wealthier regions like Lagos at the expense of less economically developed areas. Zulum’s call for a review reflects a growing sentiment among stakeholders who believe the bills require substantial amendments to ensure equitable outcomes across all regions.
As the debate continues, Zulum’s position underscores the importance of inclusive policymaking in addressing Nigeria’s diverse regional and economic realities. He called on President Tinubu to prioritize national cohesion and fairness by revisiting the tax reform proposals to accommodate the concerns of all regions.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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