PANDEF kicks against Northern governors’ position on power shift, VAT

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4 years ago

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has kicked against the position of northern governors on power shift to the South and states’ collection of Value Added Tax (VAT).

PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ken Robinson, while reacting exclusively to Tribune Online on Tuesday, said the submissions of the northern elements were parochial and hypocritical.

“Northern governors’ opposition to power shift to the South is most ridiculous, cowardly and irresponsible.

“Their opinion on the issue of the southern presidency is preposterous and parochial; they have enjoyed massive support from the South for President Muhammadu Buhari to attain power.

“It exposes them as hypocrites and cowards. That is what they are and they should be told clearly.

“No person would say power should not rotate after eight years of a northern presidency.

“Buhari was supported by Southern Nigeria to become president. Our money was used to sponsor him to become president, particularly in 2015.

“After using our money and our votes to become president, they are now saying that power shift is unconstitutional.

“It is a most absurd, unreasonable, irresponsible statement.

“Anybody, no matter how highly or lowly placed, that says that there should be no power rotation in 2023 does not love Nigeria.

“Those people do not want Nigeria to progress and to be united; they do not want peace in Nigeria.

“Let it be known to the Northern governors and indeed the Northern community that there can be no peace without justice, and saying that there should be no power rotation is an act of injustice against southern Nigeria,” Hon. Robinson averred.

On the northern governors’ aversion to the collection of VAT by states, he said “PANDEF wholly supports the position of Rivers, Lagos and the Southern governors that states should collect VAT.”

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