Dogara to Northerners: Avoid Condemning Tinubu

Dogara to Northerners: Avoid Condemning Tinubu Over Tax Reform Bills

 

Yakubu Dogara, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has called on northerners to refrain from criticizing President Bola Tinubu over the proposed tax reform bills. Amid rising opposition in the North, Dogara emphasized the need for a broader understanding of the reforms’ potential benefits.

 

Opposition to the Bills

 

Since their introduction in the National Assembly, the tax reform bills have faced significant backlash, particularly from northern leaders and residents. Critics argue that the proposals disproportionately target the North. This sentiment was echoed by the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, who collectively voiced their disapproval during a recent meeting. The NSGF has even called for a review, citing concerns over the bills’ implications for the region.

 

Dogara’s Perspective

 

During a Channels Television town hall discussion on the tax reform bills, Dogara urged northern governors and elites to adopt a more informed perspective. He stressed that the reforms should not be dismissed prematurely, as they have the potential to address critical national issues.

 

Addressing northern critics directly, Dogara stated, “This is not the time to condemn the president or label him as anti-North because of these bills. In fact, President Tinubu has undertaken a monumental initiative that no northern leader in my lifetime has accomplished—the establishment of a livestock ministry.”

 

Economic Opportunities for the North

 

Dogara highlighted the creation of the livestock ministry as a transformative move with immense economic potential for the North. He pointed out the global opportunities within the livestock industry, particularly in dairy and beef production.

 

“The global market size for dairy and beef is projected to reach $2.5 trillion within the next three years. If the North can strategically position itself to capture just 5% of this market, that translates to $250 billion,” he explained. “With this, the North wouldn’t need VAT contributions from other states to sustain itself. We are, without a doubt, the most resource-endowed region in Nigeria.”

 

Concerns Over Consultation and Timing

 

Dogara also addressed criticisms about insufficient stakeholder consultations and the timing of the reforms. He dismissed these concerns as secondary, arguing that the primary focus should be on whether the reforms are beneficial and necessary for national development.

 

“What matters is not the perceived lack of consultation or the timing but whether the reforms are the right step forward. The focus should remain on the substance of the reforms rather than political agendas or historical grievances,” he asserted.

 

A Call for Unity and Pragmatism

 

Dogara’s remarks reflect a plea for unity and a pragmatic approach to evaluating the tax reform bills. He urged northern leaders to shift their focus from regional grievances to the broader opportunities these reforms could unlock for the North and the country as a whole. By leveraging the North’s abundant resources and potential, he argued, the region could achieve economic self-reliance and long-term prosperity.