EXPOSED: VP Shettima Secretly Behind Northern Governors, Elders’ Rejecting Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills? SEE Shocking Allegation
Jackson Ude, a former aide to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan and an independent journalist, has made explosive allegations against Vice President Kashim Shettima concerning the controversial Tax Reform Bill currently under scrutiny at the National Assembly.
The Tax Reform Bill, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few weeks ago, has sparked significant public discourse and opposition, particularly from Northern leaders. These include governors, elder statesmen, and various influential groups who argue that the proposed reforms could exacerbate economic disparities in the region.
Despite the pushback, the National Assembly announced that the bill would not be suspended. Instead, it has been referred to a committee tasked with making necessary recommendations to ease its passage into law.
However, Ude, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) and cited by the LATEST_NEWS Blog, accused Vice President Shettima of playing a central role in rallying Northern leaders against the bill. He compared the current situation to the opposition faced by the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in 2012, which he said was similarly resisted by Northern leaders under the leadership of then- Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
” In 2012, the Northern Governors Forum led by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso rejected the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), claiming it would negatively impact the North, ” Ude wrote. ” In 2024, another set of Northern Governors Forum, led by Governor Zulum representing the voice of Vice President Shettima, has also rejected the Tax Reform Bill, again claiming it would impoverish the North. ”
Ude questioned why Northern leaders consistently resist reform bills that aim to benefit the nation as a whole, suggesting that better governance and proper allocation of resources could have alleviated poverty in the region.
” The PIB has since been passed into law. I am yet to see how the passage has negatively impacted the North. The Northern leaders, led by Vice President Shettima, should allow the Tax Reform Bill. It is for the good of all. Everything should not be seen as anti- North. Nigeria needs to move forward, ” he added.
The Tax Reform Bill is intended to streamline Nigeria’ s tax system, widen the revenue base, and promote equitable economic growth. However, critics, particularly from Northern Nigeria, argue that the bill does not sufficiently address regional disparities and could worsen the economic challenges faced by the North.
