Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has vehemently condemned the tax reform bills, saying the reform will affect the northern part of the country.

“We condemn these bills transmitted to the National Assembly,” Mr Zulum said in an interview with BBC Hausa. “They will drag the north backwards, and not only the north, South-East, South-West and some states in the South-West, such as Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, will have problems with these bills.”

He added, “How we see it is if these bills scale through, we will not be able to even pay salaries. And if we paid, it won’t be sustainable the following year.”

On Thursday, the Senate passed for the second reading the bills, which have continued to generate heated controversies since its transmission to the National Assembly in September.

Several northerners, including Northern Elders Forum, state governors and traditional leaders, have asked President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the bills, citing its grave consequences.

Reiterating the region’s support for the current administration during the 2023 general election, Mr Zulum advised Mr Tinubu not to listen to people pitching him against the North.

“It is not opposition. This, based on our understanding, is something that will destroy the North in its entirety,” Mr Zulum said.

“Therefore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others to review this decision. He secured 60 per cent of his votes in the North. He should not listen to those telling him that northerners are not supporting him. If our interest is served, that is all. What we need now is the withdrawal of the tax bills.”

While slamming the National Assembly for its speedy passage of the bills, Mr Zulum said his opposition was not about hatred for Mr Tinubu’s administration.

He said, “Why all the rush? There’s a petroleum bill that was presented, but it took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this one was transmitted and now receiving legislative attention within a week.

“What we are saying is that, let it be treated carefully and with caution so that even after our exit, our children would reap the benefits.”