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Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the recently proposed tax reform bills, urging that they be reviewed with a focus on unity rather than division.

He appealed to the president to halt the bills’ progress and conduct wide consultations to ensure they were fair and balanced before being passed into law.

The proposals, particularly the shift to a derivative-based model for distributing value-added tax (VAT), sparked strong objections from northern governors and traditional leaders.

They argue that the model would disproportionately disadvantage less industrialised regions, especially the northern states.

Despite these concerns, the president has rejected calls to withdraw the bills.

Speaking on BBC Hausa Service, Governor Bala warned that the proposed tax reforms would worsen the economic hardship already faced by many northern states.

“Any reform to the tax bill, as it stands, is a recipe for further impoverishment of the north. What we need is a debate on a tax system that will not harm any region,” Governor Mohammed said.

He explained that northern states, many of which already face significant financial challenges, would be further strained by the proposed tax model. For instance, he pointed out that Bauchi State struggles to meet its salary obligations due to insufficient funds.

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“We receive about N2 billion in monthly federal allocation, but our salary bill stands at N4 billion, with local government salaries alone amounting to N3 billion. We also do not receive any derivatives from oil sales due to the current revenue-sharing formula,” he added.

He explained that while northern states are major consumers of goods and services-especially in industries like telecommunications-the tax revenue generated by these sectors often benefits southern states, where the companies’ headquarters are located.

This uneven distribution, according to Governor Bala, exacerbated the financial difficulties of northern states, urging the president to address this disparity and ensure that all regions are fairly represented in the revenue-sharing process.

“We are operating a federal system, and we are one country. No state or region should be disadvantaged in the distribution of revenue,” Governor Bala said.

He also expressed frustration at what he perceived as the president’s lack of willingness to address the concerns raised by northern leaders.

“If the federal government persists with this reform, we will be forced to mobilise our federal lawmakers, who are numerous, to block the bill,” he warned.

“It is as though the President wants to suffocate us, and we are not going to fold our arms or accept this,” he added.

The Bauchi governor also urged President Tinubu to reconsider his stance, reminding him that Nigeria operates under a democratic system where the voices of the people, through their representatives, should be respected.

He pointed out that even the president’s deputy, Kashim Shettima, and other representatives had already objected to the bill and called for its amendment.

Governor Mohammed called for a national dialogue on tax reform, one that aims to unite the country rather than divide it, ensuring that all regions are included in the pursuit of economic fairness and growth.

Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov

Doctors seeking commissioner sack begin strike in major Kano hospital

Doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have commenced an indefinite strike at Kano’s Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, following an alleged assault on a female doctor by a commissioner in the Kano State government.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NMA’s Kano Public Relations Officer, Dr. Muhammad Musa, explained that the action comes after a 48-hour ultimatum expired without response regarding the incident.

The association called for the immediate dismissal of the commissioner, along with increased staffing, resource allocation, and improved security at the hospital.

The statement reads in full : “Following a 48 hour ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State Branch in response to the assault on a female doctor at the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, we regret to inform the public and all relevant stakeholders that no concrete action has been taken by the Kano State Government.

An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health has confirmed that the doctor was not at fault in the incident, verifying that she acted with full professionalism in her duties.

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Despite this, no action has been taken to address the misconduct of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, who led this assault and harassed a healthcare worker performing her duties under extremely challenging conditions.

The NMA Kano has therefore resolved to withdraw all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital indefinitely, effective from *12 noon* today, *6th November 2024* until the following demands are fully met:

1. Immediate Dismissal of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs.*

2. Adequate Staffing & Resource Allocation* *:* Immediate steps must be taken to meet the minimum benchmark requirement for healthcare personnel in the facility, ensuring that doctors are not forced to work under conditions that put their safety and patients health at risk.

3. Enhanced Security Measures:* Provision and maintenance of adequate security for all units within the hospital to protect healthcare workers and patients.

The NMA remains committed to the highest standards of medical care and patient safety, and this action is intended to underscore the urgency of our call for justice and reforms to protect healthcare professionals. We call on the government to act swiftly and decisively to restore confidence in Kano State’s healthcare system and ensure a safe working environment for all medical personnel.”

Doctors seeking commissioner sack begin strike in major Kano hospital