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‘You cannot tax poverty’ Obi condemns tax implementation style
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Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has criticised the country’s approach to taxation, warning that raising revenue by imposing heavier burdens on poor citizens would undermine economic growth, social trust and national unity.
In a statement on his X account, Obi said prosperity could not be achieved by taxing poverty, arguing that taxation should operate as a transparent social contract rooted in fairness, honesty and visible public benefit.
“As I travel the world and meet leaders who have transformed their nations, one lesson is clear: lasting economic and social progress begins with national consensus,” Obi wrote.
He said governments must be truthful with citizens about how tax policies affect incomes and how revenues will translate into development outcomes.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, said taxation should not merely focus on increasing government revenue but on making citizens wealthier through production, enterprise and job creation.
“Nigeria must rethink taxation if it is serious about economic growth, national unity, and shared prosperity. The purpose of sound fiscal policy is not merely to raise revenue; it is to make the people wealthier so that the nation itself becomes stronger. Yet today, Nigerians are asked to pay taxes without clarity, explanation, or visible benefit” he said.
He argued that empowering small and medium-sized enterprises would naturally expand the tax base, rather than placing additional pressure on households already struggling with high living costs.
“You cannot tax your way out of poverty — you must produce your way out of it,” he said.
His comments come amid heightened public debate over Nigeria’s tax reforms and revenue measures. In recent months, the federal government has pushed to boost non-oil revenue as it grapples with rising debt servicing costs, a weak naira and the removal of fuel subsidies.
The reforms have included changes to value-added tax administration, excise duties and efforts to widen the tax net, which had taken effect this new year.
The debate intensified following controversy over a recently amended tax law, after the National Assembly acknowledged discrepancies between the version passed by lawmakers and the version later gazetted.
Obi referenced the episode in his statement, describing it as alarming and unprecedented. He said citizens were being asked to pay higher taxes under a framework whose legitimacy had been questioned, without clear explanations or assurances of public benefit.
“There is no virtue in celebrating increased government revenue while the people grow poorer,” Obi wrote. “Any tax system that makes citizens poorer violates the fundamental principles of good governance and sound fiscal policy.”
Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains among the lowest globally, estimated at below 10 percent, according to official data.
Successive governments have said improving tax collection is essential to fund infrastructure, healthcare and education.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has announced an electricity outage in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.
AEDC disclosed this in a notice on Wednesday.
The disco said the outage is due to a technical fault on the transmission company of Nigeria (TCN) 132kV Apo – Karu – line 1.
Consequently, bulk electricity supply has been disrupted in areas in Abuja and Nasarawa, including in Karu, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Orozo, Karshi, Mararaba, Ado, New Nyanya, New Karu Uke, Masaka, Auta Balaifi, Keffi, Nasarawa Toto, Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, and environs.
The disco, however, assured electricity restoration.
“The technical team of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently working to restore power supply around 3:00 pm today, 10th June 2026.
“We regret the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding,” AEDC stated.
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Watch moment VP Shettima arrives at venue of commissioning of Arterial RN5 Obafemi Awolowo Way today
Watch clip showing arrival of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the venue of the commissioning of the newly constructed Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp Junction to RR III, Dape District section.
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Referee Omar Artan has vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup after arriving home in Somalia following his ban from entering the United States.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Mogadishu Airport to give a warm welcome to Omar Artan.
Some in the crowd carried banners with supportive slogans while others wore specially made hats bearing pictures of the referee, who has quickly become an icon in his homeland.
There were also social media celebrities who posed for photos with Artan and live-streamed the welcome on their platforms.
Amid the celebratory reception, there was also visible anger that the first Somali appointed as a World Cup referee had been denied entry to the United States.
The 34-year-old – Africa’s referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.
No reason for his repatriation has been given by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.
He arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday, landing at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu where he was greeted by government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation, as well as fellow referees and local residents.
Artan is expected to attend a public event at Mogadishu Stadium later on Wednesday afternoon and watch a match between Heegan and Dekadaha.
“I’d like to thank the officials, ministers, MPs and everyone. I want to thank my country and people for their support. The encouragement I received here, I know I’ll get more support outside [the airport],” Artan said, translated into English by the BBC.
“Everything is pre-destined. Fifa supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu.
“I promise you that I’ll be officiating in the next World Cup. Somalia, everywhere, I’m letting you know.”
Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (Caf) men’s referee of the year in 2025, was one of 52 referees selected for the tournament.
However, his “dream” came crashing down as he attempted to travel to the on-pitch officials’ base in Florida, with Artan telling the New York Times, external he had faced an 11-hour immigration interview and was detained for several hours before be was put on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey.
Speaking to BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: “While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision.”
It was not possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and referee matches played in Canada or Mexico, with all on-pitch officials based in Florida for training, preparation, and security.
Trump placed a full entry ban under any visa category for 12 countries, including Somalia, in June 2025.
Two days before the World Cup draw in December 2025, Trump drew widespread attention for comments made about Somalia in the lead up to a planned immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which has a large Somali community.
“With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no anything,” he said.
“They just run around killing each other. There’s no structure.”
He added that Somali immigrants should “go back to where they came from” and that the US would “go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage to our country”.
On arriving home, Artan urged Somalia’s youth not to lose hope in their country in the face of his treatment, stating: “Let’s all defend Somalia’s honour. We all belong to Somalia whether it’s bad or good.
“That flag is ours and so is the passport – let’s defend it.
“The youth shouldn’t be demoralised about their country. Despite this happening to me, I’ll still stand for my nation.
“I want to continue my journey from here and urge the youth to do the same.”
For his part, Artan was very happy with the welcome he received. The determined look on his face backed up the statements he has made about continuing his career and he told friends that he is ready to start training right away.
After the press conference, he was given a grand farewell. Thousands more people are expected to greet him at the Mogadishu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Another hero’s welcome is on the cards.
Blackout hits Abuja, Nasarawa, AEDC explains
Watch moment VP Shettima arrives at venue of commissioning of Arterial RN5 Obafemi Awolowo Way today
Red carpet reception for banned referee Artan on arrival in Somalia
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