In a call for unity and understanding, Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has urged the northern region to refrain from condemning President Bola Tinubu over the Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly. Dogara’s appeal comes amidst significant opposition from prominent figures and the broader populace in the north, who have voiced concerns that the bills may disadvantage their region.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Special Town Hall dedicated to the Tax Reform Bills, Dogara emphasized the importance of taking a measured approach. “I want to talk to my brothers in the North. I don’t think this is the time for us to begin to condemn the president and to begin to say that on account of these bills, he is anti-north,” he stated. Dogara highlighted that President Tinubu has made significant contributions to the north, notably through the establishment of the livestock ministry, which he views as a transformative initiative.
Dogara pointed out the vast economic opportunities within the livestock sector, citing the global market potential for dairies and beef, projected to reach $2.5 trillion in the next three years. He argued that if the northern region could capture even a small fraction of this market, it could significantly bolster its economy. “We don’t need VAT from any state in Nigeria to survive. The North can survive on its own. We are the most endowed part of Nigeria,” he asserted, suggesting that the north has the resources to be economically independent.
Moreover, Dogara stressed that reforms are necessary for progress and encouraged nationwide support for President Tinubu’s initiatives. “There is no right time for reforms,” he said, urging Nigerians to focus on the broader benefits of the reforms rather than the immediate challenges they might pose.
