The Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, criticised opposition to proposed tax reforms by some state governors, calling it a display of laziness and lack of innovation in governance.
Speaking during an interview with “Arise News” on Monday, Shinkafi, a former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), singled out northern governors for their resistance to the reforms.
He argued that the backlash stems from concerns over the allocation formula, which ties revenue sharing to state performance.
“Because of how the money will be shared based on your performance and contribution, that is why they are complaining,” Shinkafi remarked.
“Most of these states are lazy; most of them are not ready to develop their states to generate revenue,” he said.
Amid mounting pressure from northern governors and 73 lawmakers from the region, the House of Representatives has indefinitely suspended debate on the tax reform bill, as earlier reported by “PUNCH”.
However, Shinkafi dismissed the opposition as baseless and politically motivated.
Addressing criticisms from the Northern Youth Assembly, which accused the Deputy Senate President of bias in the reform process, Shinkafi said, “The attack by the Northern Youth Assembly is uncalled for.
All the attacks, blackmail, and mischief-making are politically motivated against the Deputy Senate President.”
He defended the Senate leadership, asserting that it was merely fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.
“If they had looked deeply into it, the governors would not be crying foul,” he added, accusing some regional leaders of perpetuating economic stagnation and underdevelopment.
“These governors are responsible for the economic failure, insecurity, chronic unemployment, acute poverty, and educational backwardness in the northern region,” Shinkafi stated.
Contrary to claims that the reforms are anti-north, Shinkafi highlighted several provisions aimed at fostering economic growth and protecting vulnerable sectors.
“Small businesses with a turnover not exceeding ₦50 million are exempted from paying annual taxes,” he explained.
Other exemptions include pharmaceutical products, food items, educational materials, agricultural equipment, and export goods.
He also noted that the reform reduces income tax for small businesses from 30% to 25%, a move he believes will spur growth and investment.
Addressing allegations that the reforms favour southern states, particularly Lagos, or serve the personal interests of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through ties to Alpha Beta Consulting, Shinkafi dismissed the accusations as misinformation.
“People are being misinformed about the new tax bill against the presidency,” he said.
“The most important thing is for you to be upright in your decisions and very transparent and accountable,” he continued.
To address public concerns, Shinkafi urged for open dialogue and public hearings.
“The issue of attribution and derivation is clear.
With public hearings, all these issues would have been avoidable,” he said, emphasizing that transparency can dispel misconceptions and build trust.
As the debate continues, Shinkafi’s message remains firm: Nigeria must move beyond stagnation.
State governments, he argued, must embrace innovation, take responsibility for their economic development, and support reforms that promise to transform the nation’s tax landscape for the better.
