The Kano Concerned Citizens have expressed their resolute position standing by the Deputy President of the Senate over what they termed as “misinformation and unwarranted accusations directed at the DPS following the recent heated debate in the Senate over the tax reform bill.
In a statement issued by the group alleged that Senator Ali Ndune and some certain group of individuals are bent on tarnishing the hard-earned reputation and image of the highly respected Senator, Barau.
The statement reads: “It has come to our attention that certain individuals, led by Senator Ali Ndume, have sought to use this debate to tarnish Senator Barau’s reputation and incite public sentiment against him. This is not only unfair but also detrimental to the unity and progress of our nation.
“For clarity, Senator Barau Jibrin’s role during the plenary was purely administrative. As the presiding officer, he read a paper submitted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) regarding the tax reform bill. This action is a routine legislative responsibility always undertaken by presiding officers.
“It is important to emphasize that Senator Barau did not introduce the bill, nor did he express his personal opinion on it .Instead, he facilitated the process by allowing Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, and other experts to make a presentation to the Senate. This same presentation had been made to the House of Representatives and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum without similar controversy.”
The statement added that Senator Barau even went further to advocate for nationwide awareness campaigns in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and other languages to ensure that Nigerians understand the bill and its implications.
“This demonstrates his commitment to transparency and inclusivity. While we respect Senator Ndume’s right to voice his concerns, his approach during the debate was unnecessarily combative and aimed at creating a false narrative. Instead of addressing procedural issues with decorum, he chose to publicly attack Senator Barau, misleading the public into believing that Barau was behind a supposed anti-North agenda.
“This tactic has unfortunately painted Ndume as a hero defending the North, while vilifying Senator Barau without basis. Such behavior undermines the Senate’s integrity and sows seeds of division among Nigerians.
“We strongly warn Senator Ndume to desist from using the tax reform saga as a tool to tarnish the image and reputation of Senator Barau Jibrin.”
The group therefore urged the general public to seek accurate information about the tax reform bill before forming opinions. The bill is still under review, and further clarifications will be made during subsequent Senate sessions.
“The current political climate requires leaders to act with maturity and a sense of responsibility. Divisive tactics and misinformation only serve to hinder progress. We urge all senators, including Senator Ndume, to engage in constructive dialogue and focus on the best interests of Nigerians.
“Senator Barau Jibrin has always been a champion of Kano State and Northern Nigeria. His track record speaks for itself, and we will not allow anyone to tarnish his name for political gain,” it concluded.
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