The vice president of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima who by his position is the chairman of the national economic council, has remained reticent on the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s controversial tax reform bill which has scaled second reading in the Nigeria’s senate.
One would then wonder what would be the stance of the vice president on the controversial tax reform bill.
With Senator Ali Ndume who represents Borno state senatorial district, being at the forefront of those criticizing and opposing president Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bill as well as governor Zulum of Borno state who is widely regarded as political son of vice president Shettima, also leading the voices against the proposed tax reform bill, it can be deduced from the Borno state leadership that vice president Shettima opposes his principal, Tinubu’s tax reform bill.
The sudden antagonism of the proposed bill from Borno state where the vice president hails from and has great influence on its leadership, suggests that the vice president might be speaking for himself through his state governor and senators from Borno state.
Of all the northern states, Borno state is the most vociferous against the proposed tax reform bill of Tinubu’s administration.
The Borno state leadership’s recent body language and reactions, suggest that the relationship between the president and his vice might have soured.
During his interview on Channels tv, governor Zulum unknowingly gave credence to the fractured relationship between Shettima and president Tinubu. He accused the president of pushing the tax reform bill which he claims will have sinister effect on the northern states of the federation. He thereafter warned the president that his action will attract some consequences.
The governor exempted his predecessor and acclaimed political godfather who is the vice president of Nigeria from his warmings.
One would also question whether or not the governor is incapable of channelling his concerns about the proposed tax reform bill through Kashim Shettima, the vice president of the country.