The Northern Youth Assembly, on Tuesday, criticized Kano State House of Representatives member Abdulmumin Jibrin for his support of the proposed tax reform bill, calling it a betrayal of Northern interests.
The group, which represents youth across the 19 Northern states, accused Jibrin of supporting policies that could harm the region’s economy.
In a statement signed by Comrade Mohammed Hussaini Bauchi, the Assembly’s National Assistant Publicity Secretary, the group expressed disappointment with Jibrin, who represents the Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency. The statement claimed Jibrin’s recent endorsement of the bill shows a “disregard for the economic well-being of Kano State and Northern Nigeria.”
“As representatives of Northern Nigerian youth, we believe that this proposal, in its current form, will disproportionately affect the economic livelihoods and aspirations of our people,” Bauchi said. He criticized Jibrin’s “enthusiasm to champion this anti-North bill,” calling it a “misguided commitment” that ignores the North’s current challenges.
The Assembly highlighted critical issues facing Northern Nigeria, including low electricity supply, poverty, insecurity, high unemployment, and weak infrastructure. “We believe that these are some of the challenges your constituents suffer from,” Bauchi stated, urging Jibrin to focus on addressing these problems instead of supporting reforms that could harm Northern businesses and families.
The statement continued, “This tax reform, in its current form, threatens to add burdens on businesses and families in Northern Nigeria—businesses that are already struggling due to unreliable power, inconsistent policy, and poor access to essential services.”
The Northern Youth Assembly stressed that the North needs leaders who are dedicated to solving the region’s problems and would not support policies for “cheap political gains.”
