The Governor of Bauchi State has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider current economic policies, stating that they lack popular support among Nigerians.
Speaking during a Christmas Day celebration in Bauchi on Thursday, December 26, the governor called on the presidency to set aside pride and engage with the grievances of the masses.
“We are calling on the presidency and the federal government to change their style. Whenever a policy is not popular, they should listen to the people and not be arrogant and think that whatever they say must be. This is not an oligarchy.
“This is not a military rule. They must listen to the people, and that is what makes a good leader, and we pledged to be loyal to them.” the governor said.
He emphasized the need for collective action across party lines to address the hardships faced by Nigerians. “There is a lot of wahala. We must work together across party lines, across all the tiers of government to provide succor and solace to the Nigerian people. It is not about pride or ego because whatever it is; the situation was not like this before.
“If the situation was bad before I came, tell me and I must change. And the presidency must also listen,” he added.
The governor’s remarks come in the wake of widespread criticism of economic policies implemented by the Bola Tinubu administration, which many believe have exacerbated the economic challenges faced by the Nigerian people.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has insisted that President Bola Tinubu’s tax policies will not favour the northern region of Nigeria.
President Tinubu, during his first Presidential Media Chat early this week, insisted that the tax reform bills have come to stay. According to him, the tax reform bills are necessary to retool the country’s economy.
But, Mohammed, who doubles as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, said the tax reform bills that are currently before the National Assembly are designed to favour only Southern Nigeria because they will not guarantee inflows to pay salaries and build roads in the north.
“That is why the presidency must listen to the cries about tax reform,” Bala said when he received the Christian community in Bauchi State visited him at the Government House.
“It is not a good policy for northern Nigeria because we are not going to get money to pay your salaries or to do roads.
“They must listen; otherwise, they are calling for anarchy. And that is not good.
“We voted for the presidency in this state and other states; they must listen to us. They must not come up with policies that favour only one section of the country or even one state in the country.
“It is not about religion; it is not about tribe; it is about national unity; it is about national hegemony, and this is what we are all about: good leadership,” he said.
The tax reform bills were rejected by Northern governors and the National Economic Council.
