A former Federal Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has told Northern governors that they are being arrogant over the proposed Tax Reform Bills of President Bola Tinubu, adding that the reforms must go on.
The elder statesman said this on a Channels Television programme: “Inside Sources With Laolu Akande,” which was broadcast on Sunday.
“As far as I am concerned, that tax bill must go on,”Clark said on the socio-political programme.
The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum faulted the stance of the Northern governors after the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, took a position on the Tax Reform Bills.
He said: “I was so shocked when I learned that the 19 governors of the North have met again.
“If 36 of you met, why are you meeting again?
“The Northern governors, most of them, don’t realise what they are doing.
“So, the double standards, this arrogance of power must stop.”
The Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum said President Tinubu needs wisdom to govern Nigeria “because certain individuals want to run this country as their own country.
“When they decide to share, they must ask where the money they are sharing comes from.
“So, you must pay tax.
“I was shocked when the 36 governors under the chairmanship of the vice president discussed that Mr. President should set aside the bill for further consultation.
“Not only that, the 19 northern governors came together and met but they should ask themselves what have we gained for dividing Nigeria.
“Nineteen governors, 17 governors.
“Today, you have Progressive Governors, PDP Governors.
“These are not helping Nigeria.
“That body (NEC) is a constitutional body set up by the constitution of Nigeria as an advisory council under the chairmanship of Mr. Vice President should meet with all the governors attending, but today the governors have converted that council to an executive body.
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“They have now gone into politics.
“The question is: Who are they going to consult?
“How many times have they consulted their people?
“They don’t stay at home.
“They are always in Abuja thinking that they will get more money.”
Clark also said Nigeria does not belong to the President and he should stop appointing his allies as ministers.
He added: “I think the leadership should embrace everybody in this country.
“But today, you look for all your friends, whether they are competent, whether they are honest, it’s wrong.
“Nigeria does not belong to Mr. President.
“Nigeria belongs to everybody.
“Every Nigerian is equal.
“And unless we believe that every Nigerian can rise to the top of the position, otherwise there will be no Nigeria, the problems will be there.”
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