The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has strongly opposed the proposed Tax Reform Bill, criticizing it as a policy that was “conceived in bad faith” and warning of its potential to threaten Nigeria’s national unity.
The forum raised these concerns in a communiqué released on Saturday, following the second bi-annual meeting of its Board of Trustees, which took place in Abuja.
Professor Ango Abdullahi, the NEF’s Convener, lambasted the formulation of the bill, alleging that key stakeholders, including members of the National Economic Council (NEC), were excluded from the consultation process. According to the NEF, this lack of inclusivity is a significant issue, as it overlooks the needs and concerns of critical regional players.
The forum expressed serious concerns that the bill could marginalize the economic interests of the North, deepening existing regional disparities. In its statement, the NEF referred to the process of pushing the bill as “brazen and suspicious,” highlighting that important stakeholders were effectively sidelined during its development. The communiqué noted, “The meeting firmly maintained that, in its current form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged, and represents a clear threat to our unity and national cohesion.”
Furthermore, the NEF criticized Northern politicians in the National Assembly for remaining silent on the issue, signaling that the days of silently tolerating decisions that harm the region’s interests were over. The forum also praised the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers for their opposition to the bill, calling their stance “patriotic” and in the best interest of the North. It urged lawmakers from the region to stand firm against any policy that could undermine the North’s strategic position within Nigeria.
In its concluding remarks, the NEF urged Northerners to remain vigilant in defending their rights, particularly during elections. The forum warned against manipulation by leaders with questionable motives, stressing the importance of regional solidarity. “The Board-in-session fiercely warned against dubious policies and reminded Northerners of their responsibility to defend the region’s rights and ensure equitable treatment within the federation,” the statement concluded.
