Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform policies, calling them “anti-northern” and threatening that the region would “show its true colours” in response. Speaking on Thursday, the governor, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, argued that the Tax Reform Bills disproportionately benefit other regions, while shortchanging the north.

Mohammed’s comments were made during his reception of the Christian community in Bauchi State at the Government House on Wednesday, where he acknowledged their support during his political career. The gathering was part of the annual Christmas homage.

The governor urged Tinubu to reconsider the reforms, labeling them “anti-people” and stressing that policies should reflect the needs and concerns of all Nigerians. He emphasized that no policy should be imposed on the people, particularly in a democracy like Nigeria, where government is not run as an oligarchy or under military rule.

“Whenever a policy is unpopular, the government must listen to the people,” Mohammed said. “This is not an oligarchy or military rule; this is a democracy, and leaders must be responsive to the voices of the people. If they continue to ignore the people, they are inviting unrest.”

He also expressed concerns about the economic challenges facing the country, including widespread hunger and hardship, urging Nigerians to pray for the nation’s leadership. The governor called on the federal government to adjust its policies to address the growing discontent, particularly regarding the tax reforms, which he said were ill-suited to the economic realities of the north.

Mohammed warned that if the government continued down its current path, the north would “fight for its interests,” stressing that northern Nigeria faced particular difficulties under the new policies. “It’s not just about pride or ego; it’s about ensuring that the people are supported,” he added. “The current policies are not helping us; we won’t be able to generate revenue to pay salaries or build infrastructure.”

The governor also expressed discontent with the perceived imbalance in the policies, suggesting that they favored specific regions or states over others. “It’s not about religion or tribe; it’s about national unity and good governance,” he said. “The presidency must listen to us, or we will show our true colours. We are not afraid of anyone, including the president. We respect the office, but we will not allow anyone to disregard us.”

In his closing remarks, Mohammed called for unity and patience among Nigerians, emphasizing that peace was essential for the country’s progress. He also appealed for divine intervention, hoping that God would guide the president and his administration to adopt policies that benefit all Nigerians and foster national cohesion.

Finally, he thanked the Christian community in Bauchi for their enduring support, saying that his efforts in office were a reflection of the support he had received over the years.