Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has dismissed allegations from the Presidency claiming he issued threats against President Bola Tinubu over the contentious tax reform bill.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mukhtar Gidado, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the governor, described the accusations as a deliberate misrepresentation by the Federal Government to deflect criticism.
The Presidency had recently alleged that Governor Mohammed labeled the proposed tax policy “anti-North” while launching personal attacks on President Tinubu’s administration.
Gidado, however, clarified that the governor’s comments were solely intended to caution against the potential adverse effects of the reforms, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding public welfare.
“Governor Bala Mohammed, who holds the Presidency in the highest regard, would never resort to making threats,” Gidado asserted.
He explained that the governor’s concerns stem from his dedication to protecting vulnerable Nigerians, particularly those in less prosperous states, from the unintended consequences of the tax reforms.
According to Gidado, the Presidency’s portrayal of Mohammed’s appeal for dialogue as a rejection of such engagement was misleading and dishonest.
“When Governor Bala Mohammed stated that the Presidency’s approach of imposing the unpopular tax reforms on Nigerians was a recipe for anarchy, he spoke as someone deeply connected to the grassroots and representing the voices of over seven million people in Bauchi State,” Gidado said. “He also carries the insights of a significant subregional group within the country.”
He further noted the alignment of the governor’s reservations with those expressed by some APC governors who have consistently criticized the reforms in their current form.
“To single out Governor Bala Mohammed for scrutiny, despite his legitimate and widely shared concerns, reveals a disingenuous intent. Could it be because he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party?” Gidado questioned.
He stressed that the governor’s objections to the tax reforms are not unique but are echoed across party lines by other state leaders, including members of the ruling APC.
Despite the controversy surrounding the tax reforms, Gidado affirmed Mohammed’s willingness to engage constructively with the Federal Government.
“Governor Bala Mohammed remains committed to collaborating with the Federal Government to address national challenges, even in the face of avoidable misunderstandings arising from the poor handling of the proposed tax reform,” Gidado said.
He urged the Federal Government to abandon its hostility towards criticism and foster meaningful discussions with all stakeholders instead of targeting specific critics.
“Rather than profiling Governor Bala Mohammed or other well-meaning Nigerians and resorting to name-calling as a distraction from the unpopular tax reform agenda, we call on the Presidency to prioritize constructive dialogue with all concerned groups,” Gidado concluded.
