Worried by the plethora of taxes and levies imposed on Nigerians by government, presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has bemoaned the fresh burden of 5% tax on all refined fossil fuel sales, including petrol and diesel.
In a post on his official X handle late on Wednesday, September 3, the LP flagbearer said instead of easing hardship, the government has imposed more burden on Nigerians by the tax.
Obi stated that the government should have halted action on the 5% tax until Nigerians begin to see tangible improvements in their lives from all the many promises from President Bola Tinubu.
He said: “Nigerians will pay a 5% tax when buying their everyday fuel or diesel at a time when millions can hardly even afford the cost of transportation.
“Mr. President just yesterday boasted that Nigeria has met its revenue target for the year. Yet instead of easing hardship, the government imposes more burden on Nigerians.
“Even the so-called alternative, CNG, has become unaffordable, rising from about N230 to N450, while the promised subsidies on the CNG have quietly vanished.
“If our revenues are truly ‘excessive’ as claimed, should they not first be used to fund education, healthcare, and pulling Nigerians out of poverty? Why tax citizens who cannot even breathe anymore?”
Obi reminded President Tinubu that leadership is not about imposing burdens but reducing people’s suffering, insisting that it is about care and compassion.
PHOTO CAPTION: Obi (left) and Tinubu (right).
