By Cyril Ogar, Abuja and Rahila Abdullahi, Kaduna
Visible differences between President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima have continued as the duo have failed to close ranks on some issues with the most recent being what many people described as the controversial Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly. Controversial in the sense that it has remained in the front burner and dominated the media space for more than two weeks ,thereby increasing the divide and heightened suspicion between the North and South regions of Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the crack came to lime light when the National Economic Council, headed by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, called for withdrawal of the bills with a view to allowing time for wider consultations.
Without much ado, President Bola Tinubu, through his Spokesman and Senior Special Adviser on Media , Mr Bayo Onanuga released a statement rebuffing the position of the NEC that Mr President will not withdraw the tax reform bills rather the NASS should be allowed to debate it on plenary. This refusal of Mr President to listen to the advise of the NEC has caused visible cracks between President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima.
Amid the dust raised by the NEC’s position, a key allay of the vice-president and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, came up with a damming position that painted the proposed tax reform as anti-north in its entirety.
However, Zulum, in his rejection of the president’s move displayed some level of statesmanship by saying that his opposition to the bills is not limited to the interest of the North but any part of Nigeria the reform will put at a disadvantageous position.
Be that as it may Tinubu’s loyalists see the hand of Shettima in the Borno Governor’s public rejection of the proposed tax reform bills , AljazirahNigeria has gathered.
Zulum, in an interview with BBC Hausa service penultimate Friday, specifically decried the speed at which the four bills are moving, and asked “why the rush?
He justified his position by recalling that “the Petroleum Industry Bill took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this tax reform bill is being transmitted and receiving legislative attention within a week. It should be treated carefully and with caution so that even after our exit, our children will reap its benefits”.
It was gathered that Tinubu’s loyalists are not comfortable that Shettima could not drive support for the bills as northern opposition mounts rather non members of the Presidency from the North are speaking for the bills. The loyalists according to a reliable source within the villa are saying that Shettima has not been seen anywhere talking in favour of the Bill since the president made known his stand against NEC’s advise. One wonders why VP Shettima looked on and his loyalist governor Zulum continued to speak publicly against the bills? Shettima ought to have reign in Zulum because he wasn’t the Northern Governors’ Forum spokesman but have used the rostrum more than the NGF spokesman, our villa source said.
Zulum’s outing against the bills further is being viewed by the president’s loyalists as fireworks from the vice-president’s camp as Shettima and his principal fails to close ranks on the tax reform.
In this vein, sources say this is not the best of time in relationship between Tinubu and his vice. “At the moment their relationship is not too rosy”, one insider who do not want to be named in this report, told AljazirahNigeria.
“Rising opposition to the tax reform bills from the North where Shettima comes from and the vice president’s supportive deposition will only fuel Tinubu’s loyalists already formed perception that the vice president is not shifting ground on this matter”, another source stated.
In retrospect, the cold war between the number one and number two men began when the president went for a medical vacation and was rumored of worsening condition and it was alleged that the VP and few leaders from the North were having nocturnal meetings on how the VP should take over. Also the Vice- President was to represent Mr President at an event abroad and billed to fly only to to be told that the plane developed a fault but a reliable source said it was done by the cabal to cut down his wings.
AljazirahNigeria reports that northern critics against the tax reform apart from Zulum includes: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
The North has maintained it stand on call for wider consultations to address concerns from the region.
Meanwhile, amid the uproar and controversy surrounding the tax reform bills the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said that President Bola Tinubu’s decision was not to undermine democracy.
Idris, said this while giving an address at the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, 2024 Annual Public Lecture/AGM and Awards, in Kaduna, at the weekend.
The event, organised by the state chapter of NIPR, had the theme “Tax Reform: The Role of Public Relations In Fostering Constructive Dialogue For National Economic Renaissance”.
He said that worldwide, effective taxation was a source of financial power to the government to provide social services to its citizens.
Idris, emphasised that the nation’s tax administration system was long overdue for reforms on account of design and implementation flows.
He, therefore, said the ongoing review of the country’s tax laws was timely and crucial especially as part of a larger state of macroeconomic reforms aimed at setting the country on an irreversible path of growth and development.
Idris said that Tinubu has made it clear that the executive would listen to and work with all the stakeholders to ensure that all concerns are duly and comprehensively addressed.
He said, “even with our keenness for fundamental reforms of Nigeria’s tax system, Tinubu’s administration will never do anything to undermine the ideals of participatory democracy.
“Tinubu has always upheld the interest of all Nigerians wherever they are in this reform agenda that he has embarked upon.
“We will continue to ensure open lines of communication and engagement with the national assembly, as Tinubu always says”.
The Minister said as the president continues to implement a physical reforms agenda for the country that would divulge more resources to the Nigerian states, citizens’ engagement would continue to take place.
As the Minister who manages communication for the Federal Government, Idris restated his commitment to continue deploying innovative and comprehensive mechanisms.
According to him, this is to provide the public with insights and enlightened information that would foster public trust and confidence in the reform narratives of the renewed hope agenda.
Idris commended Nigerians for expressing their opinions on the tax reform which is of critical national importance, adding that it was a display of what democracy should be.
He also commended NIPR for providing the platform for Nigerians to engage and deliberate on the issues that concern them.
A renowned cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, commended NIPR for stimulating the national discourse, adding, ”it is not only tax that is needed to be reformed in Nigeria, but all other sectors needed it.”
Also, the former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. John Hayab, said that the Holy Bible encourages the payment of tax.
He lamented that tax was being seen as an exploitation by Nigerians, adding that the issues of trust deficit must be addressed in order to make progress in the country.
Earlier, the President of NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku, said the event was to avail the citizens with an opportunity to join the conversation on what concerns them.
He added that it was to take the citizens’ inputs on the tax reforms which have generated so much controversy.
Neliaku emphasised that the tax
reform was essential for the nation’s growth and development, adding,” tax reform is not just about policy, but about the people.
“It is about creating a narrative that resonates with the citizens, businesses, and the stakeholders.
”It is about fostering constructive dialogue that builds trust, promotes understanding, and encourages participation”.
Also, the Chairman of NIPR, Kaduna State chapter, Haroun Malami, said Nigeria faces significant challenges across various socio-economic dynamics.
Malami said the conversation sought to interrogate the challenges, with pertinent questions.
He said,”The questions include; How to rebuild credibility; how to foster resilience and how to work together to create an economic future that would be of benefit to all Nigerians”.
The chairman emphasised that
effective governance was the backbone of any successful nation.
Malami said, “In Nigeria, the relationship between government and citizens is crucial in building trust, credibility, and ultimately a prosperous society.
“This is where public relations comes in. As practitioners, we have a unique role to play in shaping the conversation around the ongoing conversations about tax reform.
”We must use our skills to understand the issues, craft compelling narratives, build coalitions and facilitate dialogue that drives positive change”.
