Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, on Wednesday, defended the President’s stance on the proposed tax reform bills.

Bwala in an interview on Channels Television stated that Tinubu is being “blackmailed” by critics, particularly Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who accused the President of ignoring public concerns over the bills.

Mohammed warned that the bills could have severe consequences on the financial stability of States and exacerbate the hardship faced by Nigerians.

“We believe that as the leader of the federation and all other federating units, they should listen to us, not act arrogantly, or show impunity as though they can proceed regardless,” Mohammed had said.

Bwala countered that the president’s actions demonstrate responsiveness to Nigerians and that Tinubu has not bypassed democratic processes to push through the reforms.

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He emphasized that Governors critical of the reforms should engage lawmakers from their states to express their concerns, rather than attributing blame to the President.

“The part I disagreed with him (Bauchi governor) is that he created the insinuation that the president does not listen,” Bwala said.

“If a group of Governors does not get the President to do their bidding, it does not mean he is not responding to Nigerians because the Governors are 37 — including the FCT ministers — but Nigerians are over 200 million.”

Bwala noted that the proposed legislations, comprising the Nigeria tax bill, Nigeria tax administration bill, Nigeria revenue service establishment bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill, are under the purview of the National Assembly.

He stressed that the President “is not a lawmaker” and that the bills’ passage will ultimately depend on the National Assembly’s deliberations and voting process.