"It Is Backward Thinking": Presidency Fires Back at Governor Zulum, Details Emerge

• President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has fired back at Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state
• Governor Zulum, while rejecting the Tax Reform Bill by the president, called on the federal government not to rush in passing the bill, citing the case of PIB that took 20 years
• However, Temitope Ajayi, one of Tinubu's spokespersons, described the governor's comment as backward thinking, adding that Nigeria lost a lot of investments during the waithood

The presidency has described Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state's comment on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as backward-thinking while reacting to the latter's outburst on the controversial tax reform bills.

Governor Zulum recently aligned with northern elites who have rejected the bill, warning that it would negatively impact the North multiple times and lead to increased poverty in the region.

Buttressing his point, the governor cited the case of the PIB, which took the national assembly 20 years before it was passed, and wondered why the federal government was in a hurry to pass the Tax Reform Bills.

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Tinubu's aide tackles Governor Zulum

However, President Bola Tinubu's senior special assistant on media and publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described the governor's comment as backward thinking, noting that Nigeria lost a lot of investment during the 20 years it took for the PIB to be passed into law.

Ajayi also debunked the idea that the Tax Reform Bills were being rushed to pass at the national assembly, adding that it took the presidential fiscal policy and tax reforms committee fourteen months to develop the bills.

According to him, the committee's members were eighty professionals drawn from the country's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Ajayi's comment was accompanied by a schedule of the committee's engagement plan with stakeholders.

See the statement below:

Highlights of tax reform bills

Legit.ng earlier reported that Tinubu's administration released 13 highlights of the tax reform bills sent to the national assembly.

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According to the presidency, the existing tax system is complex and stifling growth, bringing low revenue results.

According to Sunday Dare, the president's special adviser on public communication and orientation will help promote sustainable economic growth.

Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng