Northern Governors reject power shift, VAT law

The Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), has described as unconstitutional; the power shift being canvassed by their Southern counterparts, and groups in the region.

The NGF also rejected the Value Added Tax (VAT) law signed recently by Lagos and River State governments. Saying it would bring about a rise in food prices and hardship on the people.

The Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau State, who disclosed these in a statement issued at the end of their meeting in Kaduna on Monday, said the governors have declared their support for the Federal Government on VAT collection.

They insisted that until the Supreme Court rules on the substantive suit between the federal government and River State government, the matter was subjudice and would remain such.

The statement read:

“Some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to the three geo-political zones in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the nation.

“Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemns the statement by the Southern Governors’ Forum that the Presidency must go to the South.

“The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall:- score the majority votes; score at least 25 percent of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation. In the case of run-up, a simple majority wins the election.

“On VAT, as responsible leaders, while we are constraint by the fact that the matter is subjudice, we however, for the purposes of educating the public, make the following observations:

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“The judgment of the Federal High Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13 percent derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service.

“Rivers and Lagos State Governments had enacted their own VAT laws and the Southern Governors’ Forum have expressed support for this course of action;

“VAT is being confused by these state governments as sales tax. If every state enacted its own VAT Law, multiple taxations will result in increases in prices of goods and services and collapse in interstate trade. VAT is not a production tax like excise. But a terminal tax which is paid by the ultimate consumer.

“Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its ‘overall effect’. The reason Lagos account for our 50 percent VAT collection is that many of the telecommunication companies, banks, manufacturing, and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT

“Until and unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgment on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is subjudice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.”