Tax Reform: NYA accuses Deputy Senate President of insensitivity to North

Ahead of the passage of the new tax regime at the National Assembly, the Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) has accused the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibril, of being insensitive to the plight of the Northern region.

The Northern youth expressed disappointment over what they described as the “manipulative action” of the Senate plenary, presided over by Jibril, which passed the tax reform for the second reading. They believe the reform would undermine the Northern economy.

In an open letter jointly signed by its Chairman, Ali Mohammed Idris, and National Secretary, Abdulhafiz Garba, the group faulted the Deputy Senate President for allegedly prioritising the interest of President Bola Tinubu at the detriment of the economic survival of his constituency.

NYA stated in the letter: “As representatives of the Northern Nigerian youth, we believe that the proposed tax reform bill, in its current form, would disproportionately affect the economic livelihoods and aspirations of our people, and it does not take into cognizance the current economic reality in the country.

“Our disappointment is more about your dictatorial attitude at the Senate plenary, imposing your opinion and self-serving interest on behalf of your political godfathers, who promise you heaven and earth come 2027—a dream that would never come true.

“Even though you are fully aware that this bill is anti-North and has the tendency to further impoverish the people in the region while crippling economic and commercial activities, you remain hell-bent on making it a reality.

“While it is evident that the proposed tax reform is of significant interest to the people at the center, your unwavering enthusiasm to champion the bill, which is clearly anti-North, exposes your misguided commitment to protecting the interests of those you represent.

“It is very practical that the North faces a barrage of critical issues such as an acute shortage of electricity supply, rampant insecurity across the region, naked poverty, unemployment, and a dismal state of infrastructure, to name just a few. Yet, you have resolved to lead the charge of further destroying the little prospects left for the North.

“Let us remind you that the purpose of your election was to fundamentally champion the cause of addressing the development challenges facing your region through effective legislative engagement, rather than dedicating your energy to serve an anti-Northern Nigeria agenda, which would further marginalize the people of Northern Nigeria, the region where you come from.

“It would be wiser and more beneficial for you to prioritize your focus on alleviating the pressing socio-economic challenges ravaging the people in the North.

“This tax reform, in its current form, threatens to exacerbate the burdens of businesses and families in Northern Nigeria, who are already struggling to survive due to inconsistent power supply and unfriendly government policies that have been crippling the region’s economy and growth.

“Northern Nigeria requires leaders who can speak in the interest of the region, not hired lobbyists and agents of destruction, who would do everything to misguide and deceive their people for cheap political gains.

“We are committed to fighting this cause with our last drop of blood and exposing you and others like you, who are ready to auction the North and its future. We can no longer trust and surrender our destiny into the hands of political merchants, betrayers, and political hypocrites.”

The assembly lamented that despite the rejection of the Tinubu-led tax regime by the National Economic Advisory Council and the Northern Governors’ Forum, the senator representing Kano North is willing to suppress the North for his political gain.

NYA, however, urged Senator Jibril to retract his actions, warning that the entire people of the North—old and young, children and women—are being mobilized to place their curse on him.