Segun Sowunmi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, has accused President Bola Tinubu of being responsible for widespread opposition to his administration’s tax measures.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Sowunmi chastised Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for appointing members of his own ethnic group to key economic positions such as finance minister, head of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and chair of the tax reform committee.
While conceding that the tax bills are valid, Sowunmi said that Tinubu’s nominations created distrust, particularly among northern Nigerians who feel excluded from the administration’s economic and tax teams.
“They created the problem themselves,” Sowunmi said. “You can’t have the FIRS chairman Yoruba, the finance minister Yoruba, the Customs boss Yoruba, and the CBN governor Yoruba. Then suddenly, Yoruba people come and announce a new tax regime. Other tribes will naturally feel uneasy.
“People in the National Assembly or the Senate are there to protect the interests of their constituents—that’s their primary role. So, of course, pushbacks will happen.”
Sowunmi further stated that while no bill is without flaws, the Tinubu administration caused unnecessary controversy by failing to ensure inclusivity.
“You may mean well, but let me have someone from my own group at the table to reassure me that your intentions are genuine. Nobody would sit at the table and permit harm to their own people,” he added.
The tax bills introduced by Tinubu’s administration have sparked widespread criticism and resistance, with all 36 state governors under the National Economic Council (NEC) raising concerns. Notably, the 19 northern governors have outrightly rejected parts of the bills.
Sowunmi also urged Tinubu to stand firm against political threats. “The President needs to make it clear that he won’t avoid doing the right thing for the country because of election threats. When we get to the election bridge, we’ll cross it,” he said.
