160
By Oscar Okhifo, Abuja
SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the administration is choking Nigerians with excessive taxes that continue to escalate the cost of living.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today monitored by our correspondent on Thursday, Adebayo condemned the Federal Government’s approval of a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel, describing the move as “anti-people” and a reflection of what he called Tinubu’s excessive appetite for taxation.
“President Tinubu is a clever tax collector. He wants to collect taxes from you for everything, including the oxygen tax, very soon,” he declared. “If you’re not careful, yes, the air we breathe. Just give him time; he’s going to get there.”
According to him, the burden of the levy will ultimately fall on ordinary citizens who are already grappling with soaring fuel prices and escalating living costs.
He argued that rather than focusing on taxation, the government should fix critical infrastructure, particularly in the petroleum sector.
“You are the reason why we cannot meet our domestic consumption,” he said. “You appointed yourself Minister of Petroleum. What kind of chaotic system is this?”
Adebayo is not alone in his criticism. Businessman and politician, Chief Ayiri Emami, has also condemned the new import tax on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The renowned Warri High Chief appealed to President Tinubu to immediately reverse the policy, warning that it would further worsen the suffering of “hunger- and poverty-stricken” Nigerians.
“The big people and the importers won’t feel the brunt. The consequences will go straight to the already traumatized masses. They are not advising the president well. Nigerians are hungry. Please don’t increase their pains,” he pleaded.
The Federal Government has defended the import duty as a measure to protect local refineries and stabilise the downstream petroleum sector.
However, critics like Adebayo and Emami insist that pushing additional taxes on fuel, a key driver of transportation and production costs will worsen inflation and further impoverish citizens.
The debate continues to generate heated reactions online, with many Nigerians warning that the fiscal policies of the administration may deepen hardship if not urgently reviewed.
The days ahead will generate for opinions of Nigerians. It’s left to be seen if the President will listen to the citizens who are pleading to be spared more sufferings in their own country.