The senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, yesterday aligned with fellow northern leaders opposing Federal Government’s alleged plan to increase taxes.
In a statement in Abuja, Ndume said the Federal Government ought to get things right first, expand sources of income for Nigerians and ensure that the people live and not just survive before reviewing taxes upwards.
The former Senate Leader said the antion’s middle class was gradually fading away as it was being squeezed out by high inflation.
“This tax they’re talking about; we are almost losing the middle class in Nigeria. It is either you have it or you do not have it. Those that are in the middle are being squeezed out.
“If Nigerians can pay for those taxes, it is okay. But in the current situation, increasing taxes is not an alternative at all. I will not support any increase in tax.
“Let us get things right first. Let people start living and not survive. Let people 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 donation,” Ndume said.
The Borno South senator noted that the managers of the economy wanted to make President Bola Ahmed Tinubu look bad before Nigerians by proposing an increase in tax.
He urged Finance Minister Wale Edun, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and other managers of the economy to stop misleading the President.
Ndume, who expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his administration’s de-dollarisation policy, added: “The poverty is too much is in the North. Let us be frank about that. So, you want to increase taxes again? Tax those people who can afford it. Those who can afford the taxes in Nigeria – I do not want to be particular about it – are not even paying the taxes. These big companies do not even declare their income, not to talk of getting the appropriate taxes.
“I am one of those opposing that Tax Bill in the National Assembly. I am not going to support it. In fact, I am going to start campaigning against the increase in tax for now because it does not only affect the North but the average Nigerian.
“I am not saying people should not pay tax, but do not go and tax people that are barely struggling to survive.
“You are paying somebody N70,000 as a minimum wage and all of a sudden, the price of fuel went up to N1,000. It means that if you put the arithmetic together, you see that you would have continued paying me the N30,000 and allowed the litre of fuel to be N100.
“It is like giving you with one hand and taking it with the other hand. Let the tax authority focus on those who are supposed to pay tax. For example, in Abuja, if you go round, there are a lot of properties in there that are not paying taxes.
“Fortunately, you have (Federal Capital Territory Minister) Nyesom Wike who stands up to do something about it.
“People are not paying property taxes. These banks, for example, are making tonnes and tonnes of money, and they are not paying taxes. And they are collecting taxes. If you transfer money, they are collecting taxes. If you receive money, they are collecting taxes. And they declare profits. Go and check their taxes.
“Now, you want to squeeze somebody who is barely trying to survive because they are many. You need to start from somewhere that is acceptable.
“I, at one time, proposed a Bill for communication and phone owners to pay tax. It didn’t see the light of day.
“You are talking about Abuja here. Many people do not have access to mobile phones. Anybody who can access a phone should be able to pay tax.”