Former Senate Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, on Wednesday aligned with leaders of Northern extraction in opposing plans by the Federal Government to review the country’s tax regime upward.
In a statement in Abuja, Ndume said the Federal Government must get things right first, expand sources of income for Nigerians, and ensure that the people are living and not merely surviving before reviewing taxes upward.
The former Senate Leader warned that the middle class in Nigeria is gradually fading, as inflation continues to squeeze them out.
“This tax they’re talking about—we are almost losing the middle class in Nigeria. It’s either you have it, or you don’t. Those in the middle are being squeezed out. If Nigerians can pay those taxes, it’s okay.
“But in the current situation, increasing taxes is not an option at all. I will not support any increase in tax.
“Let us get things right first. Let people start living, not just surviving. Let them have extra income, and then you can tax them. I like to use an example of common sense—allow Nigerians to have enough blood in their body before you start asking for donations,” Ndume stated.
He added that some managers of the economy seem to be trying to make President Bola Ahmed Tinubu look bad by proposing a tax increase. He called on the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and other officials to stop misleading the President.
Ndume, who recently expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s de-dollarisation policy, said: “The poverty in the north is too much. Let’s be honest about that. And now, you want to increase taxes again? Tax those who can afford it. The people who should be paying taxes in Nigeria are not even paying. These big companies don’t declare their income, let alone pay the appropriate taxes.”
He reiterated his opposition to the proposed tax bill in the National Assembly, saying: “I am not going to support it. In fact, I will start campaigning against the tax increase because it doesn’t just affect the north but also the average Nigerian.
“I’m not saying people shouldn’t pay tax but don’t tax those who are barely struggling to survive. You’re paying someone a minimum wage of N70,000, and now fuel costs N1,000 per litre. If you do the math, you’d see that it would’ve been better to continue paying the N30,000 wage and keep the fuel price at N100 per litre.
“It’s like giving with one hand and taking with the other. Let the tax authorities focus on those who are supposed to pay tax. For example, in Abuja, many properties are not paying taxes. Fortunately, you have Nyesom Wike now, who is standing up to address the issue.
“People aren’t paying property taxes. Banks, for example, are making huge profits, but they’re not paying enough taxes. Meanwhile, they collect taxes at every opportunity—if you transfer money, they collect taxes; if you receive money, they collect taxes. But go and check their tax records.”
Ndume further criticised the idea of burdening ordinary Nigerians while letting wealthier individuals and organisations off the hook: “Now you want to squeeze someone barely trying to survive just because there are many of them.
“You need to start from somewhere reasonable. At one point, I proposed a bill to tax phone owners, but it didn’t make it through.
“In Abuja, many people don’t even have access to mobile phones. Anyone who can afford a phone should be able to pay tax.”
