From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The National President of the Yoruba Welfare Group (YWG), Comrade Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has called on federal government to find permanent solution and a way out of the proposed tax reform bills, just as he appealed to all Nigerians to be calm about the controversy generated by the bills across the country.
In a statement on Monday by Alawuje, it said the National Assembly should be allowed to do its work and exercise constitutional rights on the bill after the public hearing.
“The most important thing is for us all to ensure that the bill is positively impactful on the masses’ daily needs such as food supplies, electricity bills and other critical commodities for all Nigerians, irrespective of where we are living.
“If we are to balance everything in order to end the agitations of Biafra nation and that of the Odua republic, Governor Zulum’s observation is valid; however, other regions deserve to have equitable considerations as Nigerians.
“YWG is calling on all politicians not to fuel undue ethnicity crisis, because excessive agitations on issues like this may trigger agitations from other regions; therefore, we need to handle these reforms with maturity and understanding, so that we can continue to have mutual tolerance.
“We understand where Governor Zulum’s argument is coming from; however, the governor can enhance the dialogue by giving his own advice on how other regions will have the same benefits as the Northern region.
“There is no region that does not have enough industries; but, the inept, corrupt, and greedy leaders made some regions to become dependent on other regions. The North is great; let us bring back the textiles with the other industries that the previous failed leaders crippled with the full support of the federal government, so as to reveal how great and rich the Northern regions truly are.
“If all regions will be given the same opportunities, whether Northern or Southern, there may be no need for any significant tax bill adjustments.
“Our predecessors only sat down to agree on Eastern, Western, and Northern regions; meanwhile, these current six-region system or thirty-six states model in Nigeria were simply imposed on us without the permission of the vast majority of Nigerians.
“If the updates in the bills will have negative effects on any particular region(s) now, then the logical implication is that the current bill has been negatively affecting other regions for a very long time.
“Talking specifically about the masses, is the current tax bill having any positive impact on the Nigerian masses of any region across the country? Definitely, the answer is a resounding no, despite the small percentage of individuals that are the beneficiaries of it.
“Therefore, using any region to fight for some benefits for just a small number of individuals is a clear social injustice.
“Nigeria needs objectivity and constructive engagements, with transparency and sincerity of purpose.
“Let us allow the national assembly to do their work and to exercise their constitutional rights on the bill after the public hearing, which can take as long as deemed necessary, and should include the governors, traditional rulers, and all other interest groups irrespective of where they belong.
“We need to find out the perceived inequalities that led some groups in other regions to be seeking for division or another Republic from the existing one called Nigeria.
“We can not continue ignoring them; let us all think of how to balance things for all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity and religion.
“This is a very sensitive issue that all responsible leaders need to address with the highest level of sincerity and maturity. It must not be personalised to any particular region.
“There are some corrections in the bill and for the bill, which will surely bring understanding and trust within all of us, even if they are going to be initially challenging.
“Nigeria made some sentimental decisions under the military rulers in the past, and these decisions can be constantly improved upon if we really want love, unity, peace, and harmony in this country, moreso that improvement is a continuous process; if not, all our needs or expectations will not be completely achieved.
“There are things that need to be corrected, due to which Mr. President must be sensitive to every region and give all equal regions their due considerations accordingly.
“No matter how we feel, if there must be truth, all regions must be affected one way or another.
“YWG is calling for calm to enable us to see the outcome of the bills as they undergo the public hearings in order to harvest contributions from all and sundry”. The statement said.