Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has vehemently denied accusations from the Presidency that he threatened President Bola Tinubu over the highly contested tax reform bill.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mohammed’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, strongly refuted the claims, labeling them as a misleading face-saving tactic by the Federal Government.¹
The Presidency had previously responded to Governor Mohammed’s criticisms of the proposed tax reforms, accusing him of branding the policy as “anti-North” and unfairly attacking President Tinubu’s administration. However, Gidado argued that Mohammed’s remarks were purely precautionary and aimed at protecting the interests of the people.
Gidado emphasized that Governor Mohammed has the utmost respect for the institution of the Presidency and would never make any threats. He stressed that the governor’s concerns regarding the tax reform were rooted in his commitment to safeguarding the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those in economically disadvantaged states.
According to Gidado, the statement issued by the Presidency falsely portrayed Bala Mohammed’s call for dialogue as an anti-dialogue stance, which he argued was dishonest. He noted that the governor’s genuine reservation against the tax reforms coincides with those of some APC governors who have consistently warned against implementing the proposed reform in its present form.
Gidado pointed out that the governor’s concerns about the tax reform were shared by several governors across party lines, including some members of the ruling APC, who have expressed similar reservations. He reiterated Mohammed’s commitment to constructive engagement with the Federal Government on the tax reform issue.
Despite the misunderstanding generated by the proposed tax reform, Gidado assured the Presidency that Governor Bala Mohammed remains committed to collaborating with the Federal Government to address all national challenges. He called on the federal government to abandon its “aversion to constructive criticism” and engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders.
Gidado urged the Presidency to engage in constructive dialogue with all stakeholder groups, rather than resorting to selective profiling of critics. He emphasized that Governor Mohammed’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of ordinary Nigerians remains unwavering, and he will continue to advocate for policies that protect their interests.
