The Progressive Northern Youth Forum (PNYF) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decision to reject the National Economic Council’s (NEC) recommendation to withdraw the tax reform bills. The PNYF’s statement followed the NEC’s 144th meeting, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, where a withdrawal was proposed after the Northern Governors' Forum, in consultation with regional leaders, collectively opposed the bill.
President Tinubu declined the recommendation, emphasising the importance of allowing the legislative process for the tax reform bills to reach completion. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Abdulkadir Bala, the PNYF expressed its support for Tinubu’s stance, arguing that the Northern Governors' Forum’s opposition does not reflect the views of the northern population.
"The Progressive Northern Youth Forum (PNYF) commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for rejecting the National Economic Council's (NEC) recommendation to withdraw the tax reform bills," Bala’s statement read. "We also want to clarify that the North does not support the position of the Northern Governors' Forum regarding the tax reform bills. The Forum’s call for the withdrawal of these bills does not represent the views of the people in the region."
The youth forum criticised the governors, accusing them of lacking initiative in regional leadership and heavily depending on federal allocations rather than fostering independent revenue generation. According to the PNYF, the governors have “consistently demonstrated a lack of initiative to lead the North and instead rely on federal allocations, squandering the people's resources.”
“If the governors genuinely cared for their constituents, they would have taken advantage of the opportunity to provide input and propose changes during the legislative process, rather than calling for the withdrawal of the bills from the National Assembly,” the statement continued.
The PNYF further argued that the northern governors’ reluctance to support the tax reform stems from a desire to avoid taking financial responsibility and continuing their reliance on federal support. The group warned that opposing federal initiatives aimed at strengthening financial governance might ultimately lead citizens to demand their resignation.
“The governors should stop opposing people-oriented bills brought forth by the federal government and focus on fulfilling their responsibilities to the public. Otherwise, the people may feel compelled to demand their impeachment or resignation,” the statement urged.
The forum concluded by reaffirming the North's support for the tax reform bills, stating that they are crucial to enhancing Nigeria’s tax administration framework. “The North fully supports the tax reform bills as they aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes,” it affirmed.
In a related development, tax expert Arabinrin Aderonke has appealed to the northern governors to embrace the tax reform bill, describing it as an opportunity for community-centred economic development. In an open letter issued on Tuesday, Aderonke said, “This model is an opportunity for sustained growth that benefits both communities and the local economy in a meaningful way.”