A Kano State lawmaker, Mustapha Ghali, has revealed that he was approached by a fellow lawmaker from the South to support President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, with the assurance that Kano State would benefit alongside Lagos.

However, Ghali rejected the offer, stating that he doesn’t want a bill that would only benefit his own State and leave out others, including neighboring states.

Ghali alleged in a chat with newsmen in Kano that those sponsoring the bills have ulterior motives, and that the focus of the bills should be in the interest of entire Nigeria, not just some regions or states.

“There was an influential member from the South that met me and said, Dr Ghali you are privileged to have the wherewithal to stand and speak and you usually get the support of your fellow members. We have come to strike a deal with you today. We want you to support these tax reform bills.

“He told me that their reason was that when it is passed, Kano will also benefit alongside Lagos. If Kano benefitted you will also benefit. I said to him he is right, but I want Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara Sokoto, Kebbi also to benefit.

“My reason was if today I have a problem in Kano, before you come to my rescue from Lagos, I have called one from Jigawa, I have called someone from Katsina, Kaduna and Niger. So, even if Kano will benefit, what of my neighbours, those that I have always been at peace with?

“This indicates that these people have an ulterior motive. The good thing is all northern legislators have all sat and are working towards containing the issue. We all have our own priorities from our people that we are representing. Your interest should not be conflicting or against the other region. This is why we are telling people to stop fighting for political differences but for the success of our region,” he said.

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He emphasized that Nigeria is not ripe for such bills and called on the federal government to provide a conducive environment for citizens instead.

The lawmaker also stressed that the Northern region must unite and speak with one voice to stop the implementation of the bills.

He noted that countries that have implemented similar bills had first provided a conducive environment and development, such as employment, hospitals, schools, and other social amenities for the populace, which is not the case in Nigeria.

Ghali appealed to northern lawmakers, governors, elders, business leaders, and academicians to work together to ensure that the bill is set aside.

“So what we are saying is Nigeria is not yet ripe for the implementation of the proposed bill. It is not like we totally rejected it but the government has to provide the development and conducive environment before implementing the tax reform bill.

“I however appeal to northern lawmakers, governors, elders, business men and women, academicians and all relevant stakeholders to put heads together to ensure that the bill is set aside,” he said.

His stance is supported by other lawmakers from Kano State, who have also rejected the Tax Reform Bills.