By Luminous Jannamike

The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has firmly rejected the contentious Tax Reform Bill, labeling it a threat to national unity and regional stability.

At its Second Bi-Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees in Abuja, the NEF expressed strong opposition to the bill, citing its lack of inclusivity and questionable motives.

In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the meeting, signed by NEF Convener Professor Ango Abdullahi, the Forum condemned the perceived imposition of the bill without proper consultation, including with members of the National Economic Council.

The NEF rebuked Northern politicians in the National Assembly for their silence on the issue, warning against future compromises on the region’s strategic interests.

“The Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged, and is a palpable threat to our unity and national cohesion,” the communiqué read.

The Forum alleged that the bill’s proponents harbor “sinister intentions” and called for collective vigilance in defending the North’s interests while promoting national unity.

The NEF highlighted the alarming state of education in Northern Nigeria, revealing that about 60% of students in the region have been forced to abandon higher education due to rising tuition fees and transportation costs.

It expressed doubts over the Federal Students Loan Scheme’s ability to address this crisis, given the growing number of out-of-school children, now estimated at 20 million nationwide, with over 80% in the North.

The Forum also criticized the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals for allegedly colluding with political actors to undermine the North’s mineral resource development.

“Dubious mining policies are being sponsored with the sole aim of stifling investment opportunities in the region’s vast mineral resource potentials,” the communiqué stated.

The NEF emphasized the need for Northern leaders to prioritize the region’s welfare and urged citizens to protect their voting rights and resist manipulative political tactics.

“Some powerful political actors in the region behave arrogantly and disdainfully, prioritizing self-interest over the plight of their people,” the Forum noted.

The communiqué concluded with a call for unity among Northerners, stressing the importance of defending their collective interests while maintaining national cohesion.

“The people of the North must remain vigilant in defense of their inalienable rights and resist unpatriotic plans by adversaries to divide their ranks.”

The NEF’s firm stance on the Tax Reform Bill underscores the growing tension over national policy directions and the need for greater inclusivity in governance.