A political support group, Nationwide Agenda for Tinubu (NAT), has sharply criticized Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for allegedly misinforming Nigerians about President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms currently before the National Assembly.
In a statement, the group accused Kwankwaso of either misunderstanding the tax reforms or deliberately politicizing them to mislead the public. The group pointed out that his comments, made during a convocation speech at Skyline University in Kano, were misleading and aimed at creating division.
“Kwankwaso’s comments demonstrate either a lack of understanding of the tax reforms or a deliberate attempt to politicize President Tinubu’s visionary initiative,” the group said.
The group went on to suggest that the former governor’s remarks were influenced by the fallout from his unsuccessful presidential bid in the 2023 elections. It argued that this lingering disappointment has led Kwankwaso to use divisive rhetoric, rather than engaging in constructive dialogue or contributing meaningfully to national development.
“Instead of offering solutions or supporting reforms that would benefit all Nigerians, Kwankwaso appears to be inciting division and casting aspersions on President Tinubu’s initiatives,” the statement added. “Such actions risk undermining the unity and progress of the country.”
The Nationwide Agenda for Tinubu group also defended President Tinubu’s tax reforms as a necessary step to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. It emphasized that these reforms are designed to ensure more equitable development across the country, especially by tackling the current imbalance in the distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenues among the states.
“President Tinubu’s tax reforms aim to address the disproportionate distribution of VAT proceeds, which currently favors Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” the group explained. “This imbalance exists because the current VAT system allocates funds based on where company headquarters are located, not where goods are consumed.”
The reform aims to correct this by promoting fairness in the distribution of VAT revenues to all 36 states, including those in the northern region. The group argued that Kwankwaso’s statements at the convocation failed to acknowledge these positive changes and, instead, misrepresented the president’s efforts to create a more balanced and just economic system.
“Kwankwaso misled the youth by claiming that President Tinubu is undermining the northern economy with his tax reforms,” the statement said. “This is far from the truth. President Tinubu’s reforms are about ensuring that every state, including those in the north, gets a fair share of VAT proceeds.”
Additionally, the group highlighted the introduction of VAT exemptions for essential items, including food, healthcare, education, and transportation, as part of the reforms. These exemptions, the group said, are designed to alleviate the cost of living for ordinary Nigerians, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds.
“Rather than focusing on these positive aspects of the tax reforms, Kwankwaso chose to politicize the issue and mislead the students,” the statement read. “These exemptions are a clear indication of President Tinubu’s commitment to reducing the financial burdens on Nigerians.”
The criticism from NAT also pointed out that Kwankwaso’s remarks were counterproductive at a time when the country needs unity and cooperation for the common good. The group lamented that, instead of promoting national cohesion, Kwankwaso’s comments sought to create unnecessary divisions, particularly along regional lines.
“Kwankwaso’s focus should be on supporting reforms that will uplift all Nigerians,” the group stated. “Instead, he seems more interested in spreading misinformation and creating divisions that hinder national progress.”
In response to Kwankwaso’s comments, the Nationwide Agenda for Tinubu urged the people of Northern Nigeria to disregard his claims. The group called for a more informed and balanced approach to discussing the president’s reforms, one that emphasizes their benefits to all Nigerians, regardless of region.
“We urge the people of Northern Nigeria to ignore Kwankwaso’s divisive rhetoric,” the statement concluded. “His reaction to President Tinubu’s tax reforms reflects a misguided attempt to misinform the public and undermine efforts that are aimed at achieving fairness, unity, and national development.”