By Seyi Babalola
Edwin Clark, an elder statesman, has lambasted the 19 northern governors who have opposed President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills.
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.
It should be recalled that the Tinubu administration’s new tax bills have sparked significant criticism and opposition from various sources, including the 36 state governors who serve under the National Economic Council, NEC.
The 19 northern governors have categorically rejected portions of the bills, pushing for their removal from the National Assembly.
Clark, the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), reacted to the situation by criticising the northern governors’ attitude in line with the 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.