The 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kwara State, Prof Abdulmumin Ajia, has condemned the alleged indiscriminate sealing of business premises by the state Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) over disputed taxes, levies and other regulatory charges.

Ajia, in a statement on Tuesday, described the reported enforcement exercise as a development capable of undermining business confidence, threatening livelihoods and weakening the state’s economic growth if not in accordance with due process.

While acknowledging the responsibility of individuals and corporate organisations to pay lawfully imposed taxes, he urged that tax assessments must be transparent, clearly itemised, backed by existing laws and accompanied by adequate notice, opportunities for objection and fair hearing.

According to him: “enforcement actions should never be left to administrative discretion or carried out in a manner that violates the rights of business owners,” adding that: “sealing operational businesses should only be considered as a last resort.”

He said that undue sealing deprive businesses of the opportunity to generate revenue required to offset outstanding obligations while also affecting employees, suppliers, customers and their families.

Ajia urged the government to prioritise dialogue, independent review of disputed assessments, flexible payment arrangements and judicially supervised recovery processes, except in cases involving immediate public safety concerns.

The NDC candidate also expressed concern over reports that many affected businesses were owned by long-settled non-indigenous residents, including persons perceived to be supporters of his ambition and the opposition party.

Although he said the claims required verification, Ajia maintained that they were serious enough to warrant transparency from the tax authority.

He therefore advised KW-IRS to disclose the legal basis for the assessments, the computation of the taxes and levies, the notices issued to affected businesses, the appeal opportunities provided and the legal authority under which each business was sealed.

Ajia further demanded the immediate reopening of any business premises found to have been sealed without due process.

“Kwara belongs to everyone who lives, works and invests in the state. State institutions must never be used to intimidate any ethnic group, political opponent or perceived supporter of an opposition party,” he said.

Ajia warned that if the enforcement actions persist, the party would engage affected business owners, civil society organisations and legal practitioners to pursue all lawful remedies available.

He added that his proposed Forward Kwara Agenda would focus on broadening the state’s tax base without crippling existing businesses, stressing that sustainable revenue generation depends on creating an enabling environment where businesses can survive, expand and create employment.