Kwankwaso Warns of Increased Taxes if Tinubu is Reelected

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned that Nigerians may face increased tax collection if President Bola Tinubu is re-elected in the 2027 general elections. According to Kwankwaso, the Federal Government has delayed implementing newly enacted tax laws due to fears of affecting the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s chances in the forthcoming elections. He made this claim during the inauguration of the NDC campaign council in Dutse, Jigawa State.

Kwankwaso alleged that although the tax reform bills have been passed into law, the government is reluctant to commence their implementation due to possible political consequences ahead of the elections. He stated that the government is afraid of losing the election, which is why it has delayed the collection. The NDC vice-presidential candidate warned that Nigerians would face more aggressive tax collection if the APC secured another mandate in 2027.

Kwankwaso also alleged that the Senate President deliberately stayed away from the session during which the tax reform bills were approved to avoid being associated with the legislation. He claimed that the session was chaired by a member from Kano and that the Senate President intentionally refused to attend. The NDC vice-presidential candidate promised that the party would scrap what he described as unnecessary taxes if elected, while prioritizing education.

The NDC has accused Tinubu's administration of excessive borrowing and poor management of public resources. The party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Kwankwaso are determined to reverse what it described as the depletion of Nigeria's commonwealth. The party made the remarks in a statement responding to Tinubu's recent comments about Obi's handling of erosion challenges in Anambra State during his tenure as governor.

The NDC compared the financial records of Obi and Tinubu during their respective tenures as governors of Anambra and Lagos states. According to the party, Obi left investments valued at the equivalent of $500 million, alongside local and foreign currency holdings, including $156 million in dollar-denominated bonds, when he left office in Anambra State in 2014. In contrast, Lagos State's external debt was approximately $190.43 million at the end of 2007, when Tinubu handed over to his successor.

The party also criticized the pension law enacted during Tinubu's administration in Lagos, which provided lifetime benefits for former governors and their deputies. The benefits include pensions equivalent to 100 percent of the incumbent governor's basic salary, houses in Lagos and Abuja, multiple vehicles, furniture and utility allowances, free medical care, house maintenance allowances, and provisions for domestic staff.

The NDC maintained that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket offers Nigerians an opportunity to move away from a borrowing-dependent economic model towards prudent management of public resources, accountability, productive investments, and improved welfare. The party urged Nigerians not to give the APC another chance, arguing that the party's re-election would jeopardize the country's future.

Key points

• The NDC vice-presidential candidate warns of potential increased tax collection if President Bola Tinubu is re-elected in 2027.
• The party accuses Tinubu's administration of excessive borrowing and poor management of public resources.
• The NDC promises to scrap unnecessary taxes and prioritize education if elected.