Tax reform bills: Northern youths stage solidarity rally for Barau in National Assembly

Thousands of youths from across the 19 Northern states of the country staged a solidarity rally on Tuesday in support of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, describing him as the “Sardauna of our era.”

The peaceful rally was held at the entrance of the National Assembly, Abuja, with the youths singing praises of the Deputy President of the Senate.

According to them, the rally was organized to warn those attacking the Deputy President of the Senate over last Wednesday’s Senate resolution, which allowed tax reform experts to access the chamber to make presentations during the plenary session on the Tax Reform Bills.

During the plenary session, Barau stated that experts, including the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, should be allowed to educate Senators and Nigerians on the Tax Reform Bills.

The rally participants carried banners with inscriptions such as: “Senator Barau: The Sardauna of our era,” “Senator Barau is the new leader of the North,” “Stop attacking Senator Barau,” “Leave Senator Barau alone,” and “Senator Barau: The pro-masses lawmaker.” They lauded him as the best Senator in the North, citing his sponsorship of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) Bill.

A former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Tijjani Kabiru Mohammed, noted that the Deputy President of the Senate neither supported nor opposed the Tax Reform Bills but advocated for the sensitization of Nigerians.

He said:
“We are here today from all 19 Northern states of Nigeria in solidarity with the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin. We are here to pass a vote of confidence on Senator Barau I. Jibrin. He is the Sardauna of our era.

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“He has performed marvelously well. In this Assembly, he is the best Senator in the North, given his bill on the North West Development Commission (NWDC).

“Let me tell you, if the challenges of the North West are addressed, more than half of the challenges in the country will be resolved.

“To those who, over the past few days, have been attacking Senator Barau, they are enemies of the North, enemies of Nigeria, enemies of our generation, and enemies of progress. Let them stop.

“We are not against reforms, including tax reforms. Whatever will fast-track the development of our region—and indeed, the entire country—will be supported by us.

“We pray that Mr. President will not relent. The President of the Senate, supported by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau, should continue to work together to provide the needed legislation to address the challenges facing our beloved country.”