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Senior Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Sunday Dare, has told the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, to retract his recent confrontational statement against the president and focus on the collective good of the country.

Tweeting yesterday, Dare, who responded to Mohammed’s criticisms of the federal government’s Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, condemned the governor’s comments as “inflammatory” and urged him to adopt a more constructive approach to addressing concerns.

Mohammed had criticised the tax reforms, calling them “hasty” and “unfair”, adding also that they were designed to favour a section of the country and shortchange the north.

He further warned that if the bill proceeded as planned, states like Bauchi could suffer, and his government would be forced to “show our true colours.”

In his response, however, Dare stated that such rhetoric from a governor undermined national unity and the collaborative spirit necessary for progress.

He urged Mohammed to retract his confrontational remarks and engage in a more productive dialogue with the federal government.

“Governor Mohammed’s recent rhetoric is troubling. As a governor, he is expected to exemplify statesmanship and work toward national cohesion.

“I urge him to retract these confrontational remarks and redirect his focus toward productive dialogue with the Federal Government regarding any concerns about the Tax Reform Act,” Dare said.

The former Minister of Sports, who is now a presidential aide, also noted the substantial federal allocations received by Bauchi State under President Tinubu’s administration, which he said had reached N144 billion, a huge increase from previous years.

He further pointed to special interventions like a N2 billion fund for food security and the benefits of the fuel subsidy removal, which were aimed to support the states, including Bauchi.

“Instead of issuing threats, Governor Mohammed should focus his energy on addressing the developmental challenges in Bauchi, where poverty and underdevelopment persist despite increased federal funding,” Dare said.

He, therefore, went on to outline the potential benefits of the Tax Reform Bills for Bauchi State, to include streamlined taxation for small businesses, enhanced revenue collection through digitalisation, protection for informal sector workers, and provisions to support agricultural businesses.

He encouraged Mohammed to see the reforms as an opportunity to drive economic growth in Bauchi, particularly by boosting the agricultural sector and attracting investment.

“Unity and collaboration are essential for Nigeria’s progress, not divisive rhetoric. At this critical moment in our national development, public officials must prioritise the collective good and work together for a prosperous future,” Dare admonished Mohammed.