Tax Bills: Tinubu Must Listen To Criticisms – Kwankwaso

A former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said it is wrong for President Bola Tinubu to ignore concerns raised about the proposed tax reform bills.

Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in an interview with BBC Hausa Service monitored by our correspondent in Bauchi yesterday, said democracy demands that leaders should be responsive to their people and accommodate different views on government policies intended for the people.

He described the tax bills as anti-poor, warning that they would impoverish more Nigerians and widen rich and poor gap in the country.

Kwankwaso said the federal government should direct its energy and resources to address the current hard times Nigerians are going through to make life more meaningful for them.

He urged President Tinubu to rescind his dogged position to continue with tax bills and listen to concerns of Nigerians about provisions of the bills.

Kwankwaso argued that the proposed VAT increment would not be a catalyst for national economic growth, but would spark inflationary trends in the economy and make life more unbearable for citizens.

Kwankwaso warned northern leaders against imposing a political candidate on voters from the region. He argued that doing this undermines democracy and will of the people.

Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, had also criticised the presidency on the tax reform bills submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.