The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has criticized northern governors for reversing their position on the now controversial tax reform bills.
In a statement released by its President General, Yerima Shettima, the group accused the governors of betraying the trust of the northern people, mismanaging public perception, and failing to adequately represent their constituents’ interests.
The group noted that the governors had initially opposed the reforms, arguing they would harm the northern economy.
However, the youths forum described this stance as flawed and lacking in substantive solutions to the region’s economic challenges.
The governors’ abrupt shift in position, according to AYCF, casts doubts on their integrity and raises concerns about the motives behind their earlier opposition to the bills.
“Their arguments lacked substance and failed to acknowledge the vital role of robust taxation in funding essential public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” the statement read.
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The group argued that the governors’ approach fueled unnecessary division and delayed national progress.
The AYCF emphasized that taxation is essential for funding critical sectors and fostering national development.
While acknowledging the need to implement reforms sensitively, especially for vulnerable populations, the group maintained that the benefits outweigh potential short-term drawbacks.
“Increased tax revenue will enable the government to invest in critical sectors, creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians,” the statement continued.
The AYCF contended that the governors’ initial opposition demonstrated a lack of foresight and commitment to the long-term welfare of the region.
The forum linked the governors’ handling of the tax reforms to a broader failure in governance within the north.
It identified persistent poverty, underdevelopment, and a lack of basic amenities as symptoms of poor leadership, corruption, and ineffective resource management.
“Rather than addressing these pressing issues, the governors chose to focus on the tax reform debate as a distraction tactic,” the AYCF alleged.
The group argued that the governors’ sudden reversal without achieving amendments or concessions further demonstrate their incompetence and short-sightedness.
The AYCF called on the governors to provide a clear and transparent explanation for their shift in position and criticized what it described as “misleading rhetoric” used by the governors to sway public opinion, only to abandon their stance without justification.
“This manipulation undermines the democratic process and erodes public confidence in leadership,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its support for the tax reform bills, the AYCF described the bills as crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth.
The group pledged to continue advocating for policies that promote sustainable development and hold leaders accountable for their actions.
“The hasty surrender to the tax reform bills without meaningful engagement or a transparent explanation constitutes a disservice to the north and a betrayal of the public’s trust,” the AYCF concluded.
