Northern Forum Expresses Support for Tinubu's Rejection of NEC's Decision on Tax Reform Bill

The Progressive Northern Youth Forum (PNYF) has publicly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decision to reject the National Economic Council's (NEC) recommendation to withdraw the Nigeria Tax Reform Bill.

This endorsement comes amid a backdrop of political tension, as the NEC, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, had suggested shelving the tax bill following a consensus among northern governors and traditional leaders during a meeting in Kaduna.

President Tinubu, however, urged the council to allow the legislative process to proceed without interruption. Abdulkadir Bala, the Secretary General of PNYF, expressed support for Tinubu’s stance, stating that the position taken by the Northern Governors’ Forum does not reflect the interests of the people.

Bala criticized the governors for their lack of initiative in regional development and their reliance on federal allocations, arguing that their opposition to the reform is counterproductive.

The PNYF emphasized that the North supports the tax reform bills, which aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration and align it with global standards.

The forum warned that continued obstruction of people-focused initiatives could lead to calls for the impeachment of the governors. The youth forum's statement highlighted the importance of engaging constructively with the legislative process to foster beneficial reforms.