KADUNA: Alhaji Shettima Yerima, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), shares his views on the northern opposition to the proposed tax reforms, critiquing the government’s approach to the bill and underscoring the need for proper consultation, transparency, and public input to gain support.
He also discusses the broader dissatisfaction in the north, reflecting on the high expectations placed on President Bola Tinubu’s government. Yerima stresses the importance of addressing insecurity and economic struggles to regain the trust of the northern populace.
Yerima also criticizes some state governors for their lack of initiative in generating revenue within their states, relying heavily on federal allocations. He accuses them of misusing federal funds for personal gains instead of investing in state development. He advocates for a decentralized federal structure that would encourage states to become more self-sufficient and productive, ultimately benefiting the entire country. Excerpts from the interview follow:
On Northern Opposition to the Tax Reform Bills:
The response to the tax reform bills is influenced by how they are perceived by different interests. While the concept is sound and tax reforms are essential for national development, the government’s presentation of the bill has been problematic. The way the issue was politicized made it appear as if the north was against tax reforms, which is not true.
The issue could have been handled better through proper consultations. The government should have engaged the National Assembly, allowing elected representatives to return to their constituencies to meet with the people and gain legitimacy for the bill.
Fortunately, there is now an understanding between the executive and the legislature. The lawmakers have agreed to consult further with their constituencies, and I believe the bill will be amended and passed without unnecessary opposition.
The VAT area is a major concern for me, but there are broader issues. However, the people’s opinion should take precedence over personal interests. The government should ensure that all stakeholders contribute to the discussion before the bill is passed, ensuring it has widespread support.
On Regrets Regarding the Tinubu Presidency:
While some in the north have expressed disappointment with the Tinubu administration, it’s still too early to judge. The high expectations following Buhari’s presidency, which left the north dissatisfied, were a major factor.
Many of us, having worked with Tinubu, believed he understood the country’s problems and could bring solutions. However, people are frustrated because the expected progress has not materialized as quickly as anticipated. It’s important to recognize the challenges Tinubu inherited, but the government must introduce policies that offer immediate relief to avoid prolonged suffering. If the hardship continues, disillusionment will grow.
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To address the growing discontent, the government must prioritize security and economic relief. I commend the military’s efforts, but they need more resources and support. Furthermore, the government should focus on providing palliative measures to ease the economic burden on ordinary citizens. If the administration succeeds in improving security and alleviating hardship, it will regain the trust of the northern population.
While the northern dissatisfaction is significant, I still believe in Tinubu and his ability to turn things around, but time is running out. The government must show that it can address the people’s concerns, including fighting corruption. Many former officials who squandered national resources continue to roam freely, and their prosecution would show the government is serious about reform.
On the Role of State Governors:
The state governors must take more responsibility for the economy. They need to be more creative in generating revenue instead of relying heavily on federal allocations. Some governors, who are opposed to the tax reforms, are more interested in sharing federal funds with their allies than improving the welfare of their people.
Many of these governors fail to harness the resources in their states, and some even struggle to raise modest amounts of revenue locally.
I have long advocated for decentralizing the federal structure. States should be empowered to harness their own resources, which would make them more productive and reduce the dependence on federal allocations.
This system is unsustainable, and if it continues, the country will face greater challenges. The vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers was to have a more decentralized system, and it’s time we revisit that idea.
The tax reform bills should pass, but the process must be adjusted to address state-specific concerns. Every state should be encouraged to utilize its resources and contribute to the federal pot. The new formula, where states receive 50%, local governments get 35%, and the center gets 15%, should be embraced. Some states like Lagos and Rivers have shown that it’s possible to generate revenue without relying on federal allocations. Governors must learn from these examples and stop depending solely on federal funds.
It will be challenging to convince all governors to support decentralization, but we must continue advocating for it. Over time, with strong leadership from the president and lawmakers, this shift can occur. The passage of local government autonomy is a step forward, and I believe that with persistence, we will achieve the necessary reforms.
