The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) has expressed dismay at the Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and accused him of insensitivity towards the hardship of the people of the North for his role in the passage of the second reading of the tax reform bill.
This is contained in an open letter to the Deputy Senate President co-signed by the president of the group, Ali Mohammed Idris, the Secretary Abdulhafiz Garba and other members.
They accused the Senator of manipulative action towards the scaling for the second reading of what they term as an “evil tax reform bill” which they claim would definitely undermine the north and further relegate the region economically and commercially.
“As representatives of the Northern Nigerian youth, we believe that the proposed tax reform bill, in its current form, would surely disproportionately affect the economic livelihoods and aspirations of our people, and it is of course without taking into cognizance of the current economic reality in the country.
“Our disappointment is more on your dictatorial attitude at the senate plenary to impose your opinion and self-serving interest on behalf of your political God-fathers, who promise you heaven and earth come 2027, a dream which would never come through. Even though you are quite aware that this bill is anti-North and has the tendency of further impoverishing the people in the North, and would further cripple economic and commercial activities in the region, and yet you are hell bent on making it a reality. While it is obvious that the proposed tax reform is of so much interest to the people at the centre, however, your unwavering enthusiasm to champion the bill, that is clearly anti-North, exposes your misguided commitment to the course of protecting the interest of those you represent. It is very practical that the North faces a barrage of critical issues such as: acute shortage of electricity supply, rampant insecurity across the region, naked poverty, unemployment and a dismal state of infrastructure, to name just a few, but you have yet resolved to lead the war of further destroying the little prospects left of the North
“Let us remind you that the purpose of your election was to fundamentally champion the course to address the development challenges facing your region, through effective legislative engagement, rather than dedicating your energy to serve an anti-northern Nigeria agenda, which would further marginalize the Northern Nigerian people, the region where you come from. It would be wiser and more beneficial for you to prioritize your focus towards championing the course of alleviating the pressing socio-economic challenges ravaging the people in the North. This tax reform, in its current form, threatens to exacerbate the burdens of businesses and families in Northern Nigeria—that are already struggling to survive due to inconsistent power supply and un-friendly Government policies which have been crippling the economy and growth of Northern Nigeria
“Northern Nigerian requires only the leaders who could speak in the interest of the region, not hired lobbyists and agents of destruction, who would do everything to misguide and deceive their people for some cheap political gains.
“We wish to inform you that the Northern Youth Assembly is highly disappointed in you and your cohorts for accepting to be engaged to destroy the north and its future.
“We are committed to fight this course with our last drop of blood and to expose you and your likes, who are ready to auction the North and its future, as we could no longer trust and surrender our destiny into the hands of political merchants, betrayers and political hypocrites.
“The proposed Tinubu Tax Reform Bill, is evil and that was the reason why, the National Economic Advisory Council and Northern Governors, rejected the bill in the first place, while people like you are trying to justify what is wrong in its totality to cash on the situation for some cheap political gain
“We wish to finally advise you to change your ways, before the entire people in the North, old and young, children and women are mobilized, to place their curse on you” part of the open letter reads.