Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has voiced his opposition to the proposed Value-Added Tax (VAT) hike by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Ndume expressed concerns that raising taxes amid rising fuel costs would strain already struggling Nigerians.
Criticizing the move, Ndume argued that the tax hike seems to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's image, making life even harder for citizens. “Let Nigerians have enough ‘blood’ in their body before asking them to ‘donate,’” he stated, underscoring the challenges of increased living costs with the recent surge in petrol prices.
Highlighting the impact of low wages, Ndume added, “We’re paying people N70,000 as minimum wage, while petrol costs have shot up to N1,000 per liter. The arithmetic just doesn’t add up – it’s like giving with one hand and taking back with the other.”
Ndume urged the tax authority to focus on enforcing tax collection from affluent property owners and businesses rather than burdening average Nigerians. He praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s efforts to ensure property owners in Abuja pay taxes, stating, “There are numerous untaxed properties and corporations making huge profits. Banks, for instance, are generating significant revenue, yet their tax contributions remain minimal.”
