The Kabiru Turaki- led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has reiterated its earlier call for suspension of the commencement date of the new tax laws, based on the discrepancies between the harmonised and gazetted versions.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP says Nigerians across all walks of life have loudly voiced their displeasure over the smuggling in of very dangerous provisions which were expunged earlier by the National Assembly. It added that Nigerians have demanded a thorough investigation of the anomaly and sought to know who carried out the illegal insertion and how it was done but rather than address these issues comprehensively, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has consciously minimised them and instead vehemently insisted that the commencement date must stand, despite the discrepancies.
The PDP says this disposition clearly shows where the priority of the government lies-between Nigerians and money as it adds that the Tinubu’s Presidency has always prioritised finance over the welfare and well-being of Nigerians from its inception in 2023, as evidenced by what it calls the reckless way the government announced and implemented the removal of fuel subsidy, which immediately impacted the economy of the country and caused ordinary Nigerians to suffer irreparable economic damage.
In this instance, the PDP tells President Tinubu to remember that he is an employee of the people and, therefore, should listen to his employers. The PDP says President Tinubu should also remember that he won with less than 40% of the votes in the elections that gave him the job and should therefore recognise that listening to Nigerians must be a primary duty of his administration. It warms against serving what it describes as narrow interests of people around the President as it adds that Tinubu should be reminded that the responsible PDP administration in 2012 listened to the cries of Nigerians and civil society organisations where he played a prominent role during protests against the removal of fuel subsidy, in deference to the voices of Nigerians.
The party stressed that the interest of Nigerians must be uppermost in the mind of President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
PDP further stresses its earlier call for the suspension of the commencement date of the new tax laws, pending the conclusion of a thorough investigation as it says obedience to laws in a democracy is directly linked to the belief that elected legislators have deliberated upon and approved them.
The PDP says as it is a confirmed fact that unapproved sections have been smuggled into a law with the capacity to affect all Nigerians is sufficient reason to suspend its commencement. The party insists that President Tinubu must act in favour of Nigerians because to do otherwise is a clear confirmation that money, not the people, is the priority.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
