Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has described President Bola Tinubu’s insistence on the controversial tax reform bills as a clear invitation to anarchy.

Speaking when he received the Christian community in the state on Thursday, Mr Mohammad advised Mr Tinubu against passing the reform, adding it would make it difficult for northern governors to pay salaries to workers.

“To the tax reforms- it is not a good policy for northern Nigeria because we are not going to get money to pay you salaries,” said the governor.

He added, “They must listen; otherwise, they are calling for anarchy, and that is not good. We voted for the president in the state and other states.”

Amid the heated controversy it has generated among Nigerians, Mr Tinubu, in his maiden media chat, said he would not back on the bills, stressing “the reform is pro-poor and it is to widen the tax net, so we can have more people paying.”

“The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done. Tax matters are subjects of debates and negotiations. I don’t mind cutting edges. I will,” the president added.

However, insisting that the north’s opposition to the reform was not about religion or tribe, Mr Mohammed noted that it would not back down in fighting against it.

“It is not about religion. It is not about tribe. It is about national unity. It is about national hegemony. We are all about good leadership and will continue to urge them for the time being, but if the situation persists, they will see our real colour. We are going to fight for it,” he concluded.