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Cleric Criticize Bauchi Governor, Says He Lacks Morals to Criticize Tinubu’s Tax Reforms”

Published by Tope Fakinlede on January 14th, 2025.

Cleric Criticize Bauchi Governor, Says He Lacks Morals to Criticize Tinubu’s Tax Reforms”

Bauchi-based Islamic cleric Idris Abdulaziz has criticized Governor Bala Muhammed, accusing him of lacking the moral grounds to oppose President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills. The governor, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been one of the strongest critics of the four tax-related bills currently under review by the National Assembly.

Abdulaziz argued that the governor’s financial mismanagement, including a controversial N400 million budget for the purchase of six computers, undermines his credibility in commenting on national policies.

In a recent video, Abdulaziz, who has been recovering from illness, said he had closely followed the debates around the tax reforms and the tensions between Nigeria and the Niger Republic. He accused Governor Muhammed and other political figures of exploiting the situation for personal and political gain.

The cleric dismissed the governor’s opposition to the tax reform bills as politically motivated, advising the public not to take his criticisms seriously.

Governor Muhammed had previously claimed that the tax reforms would harm northern Nigerians, and during a meeting with Islamic clerics on Wednesday, he lamented the impact of federal policies on the people.

“The federal government’s policies are not yielding the desired results. For instance, the tax reform policy—no government can survive without revenue, but if sources of revenue are blocked, no government can function effectively,” said Governor Muhammed. “We are at odds with the president because our people are suffering, yet he refuses to listen to us.”

In response, Abdulaziz accused the governor of seeking political gain through his comments, calling it a ploy for cheap popularity.

The cleric also referenced a report in the Guardian and Daily Nigerian newspapers, which criticized the governor for approving a hefty budget of N66 million per computer to purchase six laptops at a total cost of N400 million.

Abdulaziz stated, “A person who mismanages resources in such a manner has no right to criticize federal policies. His conflict with the president is merely divine retribution.”