The Kano State House of Assembly has firmly rejected the tax reform bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly, arguing that their passage would disproportionately harm the northern region of Nigeria. The decision came after extensive discussions in the house, presided over by Speaker Hon. Ismail Falgore.
In a motion of urgent public importance, the House Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini, representing Dala constituency, voiced strong opposition to the bills, calling on northern lawmakers and the Conference of Speakers to ensure the legislation does not pass.
Husseini argued that the proposed tax structure, particularly the allocation of Value Added Tax (VAT), would unfairly favor southern states, especially Lagos, while leaving northern states with minimal revenue.
“The bill is a direct threat to the economic stability of the north,” Husseini said, condemning the Senate’s push to pass the reform. He explained that the tax allocation system would heavily benefit states like Lagos, which houses major corporate headquarters, including Nigerian banks, telecommunications companies, and multinational corporations. This would result in Lagos receiving the lion’s share of VAT collections, while northern states would face severe financial strain.
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Husseini further warned that the proposed reform could drive some northern states into deeper economic hardship, potentially crippling their ability to pay civil servant salaries and exacerbating poverty.
Hon. Salisu Mohammed, representing Doguwa constituency, lent his support to the motion, urging the Senate to focus on pressing national issues like insecurity and unemployment, rather than rushing through controversial tax reforms. He emphasized the importance of careful consideration to avoid further burdens on Nigerians.
Similarly, Hon. Murtala Kadage, representing Garko constituency, stressed the need for unity among northern lawmakers to block the tax reform for the sake of the region’s well-being.
Following the deliberations, the Kano Assembly called on northern members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the Conference of Speakers, to take immediate action to prevent the passage of the tax reform bills.
The rejection of the bills in Kano adds to the growing opposition from various regions, with critics warning that the reforms could have long-lasting negative consequences on Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
