Why I criticised Tinubu’s tax reform openly — Nasarawa gov

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule revealed he openly criticized the initial Value Added Tax (VAT) component of President Bola Tinubu's tax reform, believing the proposed increase would have negatively impacted ordinary Nigerians amid high inflation.

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I don’t praise-sing. When the president was misled about taxes, I criticised the matter openly.

Sule shared this during a meeting with the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in Lafia. He explained that President Tinubu was receptive to the concerns raised by governors, including himself, which ultimately led to revisions in the Tax Bill. "When the president was misled about taxes, I criticised the matter openly," Sule stated, adding that the President then instructed him to work with the relevant ministers to make necessary changes.

The governor elaborated on his objection, linking it to the economic climate. "As at January 1, 2025, VAT would have been 10 per cent at the time. Inflation was about 30 per cent. Today, inflation is now getting to single-digit numbers. So now you can afford to charge more," he explained. Sule emphasized his business background and his commitment to preventing the ruling party from making policy errors, praising the President for his willingness to listen and adapt.

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Mr President, that’s what we wanted from you. Governors were pushing me that I was the one to talk, and I spoke. And when we went, we made the changes.

Sule also highlighted the positive economic impact of Tinubu's reforms on his state. He noted that Nasarawa's monthly federal allocation surged from an average of N3.8 billion to N4.5 billion before the fuel subsidy removal, to between N14 billion and N16 billion currently. He attributed this substantial increase directly to the President's economic reforms, which have freed up resources previously consumed by subsidy payments across all government tiers.

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We made the changes because as at January 1, 2025, VAT would have been 10 per cent at the time. Inflation was about 30 per cent. Today, inflation is now getting to single-digit numbers. So now you can afford to charge more.

Furthermore, Sule advocated for accountability among all leaders, urging governors to ensure their infrastructure projects align with the resources they receive. He stressed the importance of honest engagement and commending leaders for positive actions, while also being prepared to scrutinize them when necessary.

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There is a way that you have to be able to find a way to commend your leaders when they do right. But it goes both ways.