Elder statesman Edwin Clark has criticized the pushback by the 19 northern governors against the tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
Clark made this statement on Sunday during Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
“As far as I am concerned, that tax bill must go on,” he said.
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The new tax bills introduced by the Tinubu administration have been mired in controversy, sparking widespread criticism and opposition from various quarters, including the 36 state governors under the aegis of the National Economic Council, NEC.
The 19 northern governors have unequivocally rejected sections of the bills, calling for their withdrawal from the National Assembly.
Reacting to the development, Clark, leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, criticised the stance of the northern governors following NEC’s collective position.
“I was so shocked when I learnt that the 19 governors of the North met again. If 36 of you met, why are you meeting again? The northern governors—most of them—don’t realise what they are doing. This double standard and arrogance of power must stop,” he said.
The nonagenarian emphasised the need for President Tinubu to exercise wisdom in governing Nigeria, noting that certain individuals want to run the country as though it were their personal property.
“When they decide to share, they must ask where the money they are sharing comes from. So, you must pay tax,” he added.
