The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) and its counterpart, Northern Awareness Network (NAN), have condemned the recent volte-face by the northern governors regarding the tax reform bills, stressing that after generating needless controversies and misleading the public, the governors had inexplicably capitulated to the reforms.
The AYCF in a statement from its president- general, Yerima Shettima, said from the outset, the forum had maintained that these reforms, despite potential short-term challenges, were essential for Nigeria’s overall development and viewed the governors’ actions as a ‘betrayal of the trust placed in them, a demonstration of their incompetence in managing their states’ affairs, and ultimately, a disservice to the northern people’.
“This press statement outlines our deep concerns and calls for accountability,” he said.
It would be recalled that the northern governors initially presented a united front against the proposed tax reforms, citing concerns about their potential negative impact on the already struggling northern economy, a stance, while arguably understandable given the region’s socio-economic challenges, was fundamentally flawed.
According to the northern groups, the arguments lacked substance and failed to acknowledge the vital role of robust taxation in funding essential public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Instead of engaging constructively with the government to address specific concerns and negotiate amendments, they chose to employ divisive rhetoric, fueling public unrest and hindering national progress.
NAN through a separate statement issued by its chairman, Salihu Suleiman, also demanded answers from the governors on the controversial tax legislation.
NAN expressed profound disappointment and outrage at the recent actions of the Northern Governors’ Forum regarding the proposed tax reform bills and condemned the governors’ disregard for the democratic principles of consultation and transparency, adding that their unilateral decision to proceed with these bills, after previously assuring the populace of their opposition, constituted a profound betrayal of public trust and a grave abuse of power.
“NAN demands a full and transparent explanation of the governors’ decision-making process, along with a clear accounting of how they arrived at their conclusions without any demonstrable evidence of consultation with the very people they misled. The Northern Governors’ initially presented a united front against the proposed tax reforms, leveraging public sentiment and concerns to seemingly champion the interests of the Northern region”.
