The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has called on Governor Bala Mohammed to reconsider his opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms. The party described the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly as essential for improving Nigeria’s economy and ensuring fair distribution of resources among states.
During a press conference in Bauchi, the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Adamu Aliyu Jallah, highlighted the potential benefits of the proposed reforms. According to Jallah, if the bills are passed into law, they will boost revenue generation, increase economic productivity, and set Nigeria on a path to sustainable growth.
“For Nigeria to compete with other developing nations, it must adopt progressive taxation policies. Tax reform is a globally recognized approach to increasing government revenue and meeting the needs of citizens,” Jallah stated. He criticized Governor Mohammed for rejecting the reforms outright, urging him to engage constructively with relevant authorities if he had concerns.
The APC also accused Governor Mohammed of mismanaging funds allocated to Bauchi State by the federal government under President Tinubu’s administration. Jallah claimed that despite receiving N144 billion in Federation Account Allocations, as well as other statutory funds and palliatives, the state has seen little in terms of meaningful development projects.
“Let the governor account for all the funds received during this administration,” Jallah demanded, adding that the lack of visible progress raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
The APC further criticized Governor Mohammed’s privatization agenda, alleging that it was designed to benefit a select few. Jallah claimed that companies earmarked for privatization were handed over to associates of the governor instead of being revitalized to create jobs and boost state revenue.
“While privatization was justified as a means to increase productivity, it has done little for the people. Meanwhile, state workers are suffering, with some going unpaid for as long as three years,” Jallah stated.
The APC urged the governor to address lingering issues such as delayed salaries and prioritize accountability in governance. The party called on him to focus on policies that would bring real benefits to the people of Bauchi State.
As debates over the tax reforms and state governance continue, stakeholders await Governor Mohammed’s response to the APC’s criticisms.
