Bauchi Governor claims Nigerians are burdened by Tinubu’s policies

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has criticized President Bola Tinubu, alleging that his economic reform policies are causing hardship for Nigerians, particularly in the northern region.

The governor revealed that his relationship with the President is strained, accusing Tinubu of being unresponsive to the concerns of the people.

Mohammed made these statements while receiving Sheikh Sani Jingir, the National Chairman of the Council of Ulama Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah, during a condolence visit to his office in Bauchi, the state capital.

A video of the governor’s remarks was shared by Public Affairs commentator, Abdul-Aziz Abubakar, on his X handle on Wednesday. “It is true that we are not on good terms with him (President Tinubu) because our people are suffering. Even we, the governors, are feeling the impact. Beyond his policies, he does not listen to us,” Mohammed said to Jingir, who had strongly supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought Tinubu to power in May 2023.

The governor expressed his frustration at the President’s failure to address the prevailing hardships, emphasizing that the North has been particularly hit by the Federal Government’s recent tax reforms.

He highlighted the region’s dependency on federal allocations and warned that the proposed reforms would exacerbate its economic vulnerabilities. “The North depends heavily on federal allocations to sustain itself. These reforms will only add more pressure. The President doesn’t seem to understand that this situation is disadvantaging northerners and Nigerians as a whole,” Mohammed said.

He stressed the importance of a balanced approach to taxation, explaining that no government can function without adequate revenue but cautioning against policies that harm the people. “Taxation requires common sense and wisdom. If you disrupt the revenue system, the government itself will struggle to function,” he remarked.

The governor urged Sheikh Jingir to use his influence to persuade President Tinubu to reconsider his policies.

“You are one of the people the President listens to. We mean no disrespect, but we have been telling him that his policies are ineffective. Thank God you are here to offer wise counsel because we politicians often come across as too harsh. I believe you can help bring about the change we need,” he appealed.

At the time of this report, the Presidency had not responded to inquiries about Governor Mohammed’s comments.

In an earlier response, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, dismissed the governor’s criticisms, stating that they do not represent the broader northern perspective on the Tax Reforms bill or the collaborative efforts required between states and the Federal Government.

“His focus would be better placed on implementing poverty alleviation programmes and ensuring transparent use of federal resources, including the N144 billion received from the FG. The Tax Reform Act and increased federal allocations provide substantial benefits to the states,” Dare said.