The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has firmly opposed the proposed Tax Reform Bill, labeling it a policy “conceived in bad faith” and a potential threat to Nigeria’s national unity.
This position was articulated in a communiqué issued on Saturday, following the forum’s second biannual meeting of the Board of Trustees in Abuja.
NEF Convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, criticized the formulation of the bill, claiming that crucial stakeholders, including members of the National Economic Council (NEC), were deliberately excluded from the consultation process.
The forum cautioned that the bill risks marginalizing the North’s economic potential and worsening existing inequalities.
They raised alarm over the “brazen and suspicious” tactics employed to push the bill through, asserting that it ignored vital stakeholders.
“The meeting firmly stated that, in its current form, the Tax Reform Bill is designed in bad faith, poorly constructed, and poses a significant threat to our unity and national cohesion,” the communiqué stated.
The NEF condemned Northern politicians in the National Assembly for their silence on the issue, warning that “the era of conspiratorial complicity against the region’s interests is over.”
The forum praised the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers for their opposition to the bill, calling their actions “patriotic.” They urged lawmakers from the region to resist any policy that undermines the North’s strategic interests.
The NEF also called on Northerners to remain vigilant in protecting their rights, particularly during elections, and warned against manipulation by leaders with unclear motives.
“The Board-in-session strongly warned against dubious policies and reminded Northerners of their duty to defend the region’s rights and ensure equitable treatment within the federation,” the statement concluded.
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