Connect with us

News

Prosperity will not come by taxing poverty – Peter Obi

Published

9 months ago

on

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi has warned that Nigeria risks deepening hardship and undermining national cohesion by pursuing a tax regime that places heavier burdens on an already impoverished population.

He said genuine prosperity cannot be achieved through policies that make citizens poorer, stressing that economic growth must be built on trust, honesty and productivity.

Obi made the remarks in a statement shared on X, where he addressed issues of taxation, leadership responsibility and the weakening social contract between government and citizens.

Drawing from his engagements with leaders across the world, Obi said nations that achieved lasting transformation did so by uniting their people around a shared vision anchored on truth. He argued that leadership without honesty destroys consensus and weakens the foundations of development.

“As I travel the world and meet leaders who have transformed their nations, one lesson is clear: lasting economic and social progress begins with national consensus. Transformative leaders share a defining quality, honesty. Government must be transparent and truthful because citizens deserve nothing less from those who lead them,” he said.

Obi maintained that taxation should function as a genuine social contract, grounded in sincerity, fairness and concern for citizens’ welfare. According to him, every tax policy must be clearly explained, including its impact on incomes and how it contributes to national development.

“If taxation is to function as a genuine social contract, it must be rooted in sincerity, fairness and concern for the welfare of the people. Without transparency, taxation becomes a tool of confusion and burden rather than a mechanism for growth and development,” he said.

See also  SERAP sues Akpabio, Abbas over N’Assembly complex funds

The former governor argued that Nigeria’s fiscal challenge is not merely about raising revenue but about making citizens wealthier so the nation can grow stronger. He said Nigerians are being asked to pay higher taxes without clarity, explanation or visible public benefits.

He identified the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises as the foundation for sustainable economic growth, noting that thriving small businesses create jobs, raise incomes and naturally expand the tax base.

“The solution begins with empowering small and medium-sized enterprises in every community. You cannot tax your way out of poverty; you must produce your way out of it,” Obi said.

Obi also expressed concern over what he described as an unprecedented tax fraud controversy, alleging that a tax law currently in use is not the version passed by the National Assembly.

He said reports indicate that the legislature itself has acknowledged discrepancies between what was approved and what was eventually gazetted.

“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, a tax law has reportedly been forged. Yet citizens are being asked to pay higher taxes under this manipulated framework, without transparency, explanation or corresponding benefits,” he said.Nigerian Travel Packages

He warned against celebrating increased government revenue while citizens grow poorer, describing such outcomes as a failure of governance rather than success.

“There is no virtue in celebrating increased government revenue while the people grow poorer. Any tax system that makes citizens poorer violates the fundamental principles of good governance and sound fiscal policy,” Obi said.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 482
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Public officers are stealing Nigeria’s money every minute – EFCC boss

Published

4 hours ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says public officers steal funds every minute.

Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.

He stated that the anti-graft agency receives over 20,000 corruption petitions every year, describing the scale of the theft detailed in many cases as shocking.

“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.

“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.

The EFCC boss noted that some public officers assume office with less than ₦100,000 in their accounts, but within three years, the agency traces millions of dollars to them.

He added that some individuals acquire hundreds of houses while in office, warning that corruption is crippling the nation.

Olukoyede stressed that public officers must be held accountable for their time in office, emphasizing that transparency must remain the guiding standard in public service.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 19
See also  US military threat: Don’t beg Trump, he’s trying to make money from Nigeria – Primate Ayodele tells Tinubu
Continue Reading

News

VIDEO: Police identify officer in viral video saying Obi can never be President

Published

4 hours ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an officer who appeared in a viral video making inappropriate remarks about Peter Obi and Igbo people while travelling on public transport.

The officer who has been identified as INSP. Osumah Frank, was filmed saying Obi or any Igbo person can never become President of Nigeria.

In a statement released today September 25, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola said the command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

Abimbola stated that the statements made by the officer were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the position, views or official disposition of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.

She added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has reiterated the position of the command that all its personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times. She further reaffirmed that wearing the Police uniform comes with a responsibility to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Force, and that the Command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 34
See also  Coup plotters will face justice – Air chief
Continue Reading

News

Court rejects suit seeking fresh police investigation into late singer Mohbad’s death

Published

5 hours ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the case filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ruling that the foundation lacked the legal capacity to institute the suit.

The judge also described the application as speculative and lacking sufficient merit, noting that the foundation failed to produce the original police investigation report to support its claim that the earlier investigation was inadequate.

Justice Omotosho further cautioned lawyers handling ongoing cases against discussing matters before the court during media interviews or on social media, describing such conduct as professional misconduct.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 29
See also  SEE FULL LIST: What Nigerians will pay for UK visas, citizenship from April
Continue Reading

Trending