• Opponents of reform enemies of Nigeria, says former LP spokesman
• We will fight, show true colour, if FG insists on bills, gov threatens
• ‘Why Atiku can’t be president in 2027’
A former spokesman and Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr Doyin Okupe, has described opponents of the proposed tax reform bills as enemies of the country, emphasising that the bills are designed to support the poor and drive national development.
His views, however, differed from those of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who declared, “If the situation persists, they will see our true colours, and we are going to fight for it.”
Okupe, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos, argued that no rational individual would oppose reforms aimed at protecting vulnerable citizens and combating corruption.
“Any right-thinking individual who has had the opportunity in the past two months to understand these tax reforms and still opposes them is an enemy of the country,” he said.
He noted that the reforms propose exempting the majority of poor people from paying taxes, questioning how anyone could oppose such a measure.
“These bills ensure that companies that are not making a profit are not taxed arbitrarily. Taxation will be based on revenue generated and profits made, not on turnover. Furthermore, businesses with a turnover below N50 million are exempted. Should this be opposed? If passed, these tax reforms will also help reduce corruption,” Okupe added.
Addressing the North’s resistance to the bills currently before the National Assembly, Okupe stated that there was no valid reason for such opposition. He observed that Nigeria’s democracy had been heavily reliant on oil revenue, which he described as unsustainable, thus underscoring the need for tax reform.
“Globally, taxation is the primary revenue source for governments. Here, we depend on oil revenues and merely plan our budgets around expected earnings for the next 12 months,” he said.
Okupe commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its achievements in revenue generation over the past year, highlighting that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains one of the lowest in the world.
“Our population is large, and our landmass is vast. We need substantial revenue for development. This reform prioritises leaving already struggling citizens untaxed. Instead, it targets individuals who are financially well-off, like those spending N3 million to N4 million in a single night at clubs, not the worker earning N70,000 monthly.”
He dismissed concerns about the timing and speed of the reforms, insisting that issues causing economic and financial distress must be addressed urgently.
Okupe expressed optimism that the bills would enhance internally generated revenue for states, ultimately improving citizens’ welfare.
He also urged the President to closely monitor all revenue-generating agencies to curb corruption and eliminate practices that undermine the nation.
“With proper technology in place, the fight against corruption can be won, and Nigerians can be liberated,” he said.
Okupe suggested that agencies such as Customs, Immigration, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), NIMASA, and others should adopt emerging technologies to combat corruption effectively.
“When the reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu take full effect, corruption will be eradicated,” he concluded.
MOHAMMED voiced renewed opposition to the policies of President Bola Tinubu, labelling the current administration’s tax reform bills as “anti-northern.”
During a meeting with the Christian community in Bauchi State at the Government House on Wednesday, Governor Mohammed argued that the reforms disproportionately favour a specific region while undermining the interests of northern Nigeria.
The governor, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, stressed the need for the administration to listen to the voices of the people and reconsider what he termed “anti-people” policies. He warned that failing to do so could provoke significant unrest, stating, “If the situation persists, they will see our true colours, and we are going to fight for it.”
Mohammed highlighted the hardships currently faced by citizens, including rising hunger and economic difficulties. He urged the President to adopt a more inclusive approach, advocating policies that promote national unity and harmony. “No policy should be imposed on the people, as Nigeria does not operate under an oligarchy or military rule,” he added.
In his address, the governor called on citizens to pray for Nigeria and its leaders, acknowledging the daunting challenges the nation currently faces. He stressed the importance of collaboration across political lines and levels of government to alleviate the struggles of the Nigerian populace.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he remarked, “The presidency must listen to the cries about tax reform. It is not a good policy for northern Nigeria because we will not have the funds to pay salaries or build roads.”
He said: “We are not afraid of them, even if it’s the President. We are not afraid of them, except that we show respect. Whether it’s a traditional institution, the Federal Government, or the President, honestly, we are not afraid of them, but we can only show our obedience and respect to leadership. But we will not allow anyone to denigrate us.”
“People are suffering and are hungry. They need to re-evaluate their leadership style. Leadership involves listening to the people and being sensitive to their feelings. Leadership is about doing what the people want. But I appeal to you, Nigerians, that since we’ve endured to this point, we should continue to be more patient because living in peace is what we need.”
ALSO, Okupe stated that the South, not the North, should produce the president in 2027, noting that allowing the South to produce the next president would be fair.
Okupe acknowledged that although Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, is eminently qualified to contest in 2027, it would not be appropriate for him to assume the presidency.
The former presidential spokesman explained that the issue with Atiku’s potential candidacy in 2027 is geopolitical rather than age-related. He stressed that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year term, just as the North did before the emergence of President Bola Tinubu.
“Atiku failed in 2023 not because he is not a good person, but because people believed a northern Muslim could not succeed another northern Muslim after eight years. If Atiku contests again in 2027, he has the right to do so. He is eminently qualified and is one of the best we have. But geopolitics remains an issue.
“The same conditions persist. A southerner would have completed only four years and would need another four-year term. It is not constitutional, but there is an agreement that when a northerner completes eight years, a southerner should follow. So, the North cannot terminate the South’s tenure in 2027. It will not work,” Okupe said.
Okupe also noted that Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, could contest in 2027 as a southerner. However, he said it would be challenging for Obi to unseat Tinubu, especially if the President continues to make progress for the country.
“Obi can contest. He is young, dynamic, and ambitious, but geopolitics is crucial in a country that has not achieved horizontal and vertical unity. The current occupant, Tinubu, is also a southerner who is doing well. We can see what this gentleman (Tinubu) is doing. I wish Obi luck, but it will be an uphill task,” Okupe said.
On whether alliances among politicians and parties could unseat Tinubu in 2027, Okupe expressed doubt, stating that such coalitions are unlikely to succeed due to a lack of willingness to make concessions.
“I have been in this game for over 40 years, starting in 1978. I have participated in numerous talks and alliances on behalf of my party and movement. We have not matured to the level of being rational, reasonable, and ready to make necessary concessions for group interests. Even in private businesses, 90 per cent of partnerships collapse within the first three years. I wish those trying to form alliances the best, but it will likely end in futility, as it always has,” Okupe said.
Reflecting on the alliance that brought former President Muhammadu Buhari to power in 2015, Okupe noted that its success was mainly due to Bola Tinubu’s willingness to concede everything to make it work.
“The man who spearheaded that alliance had grown beyond naivety and selfishness. He set up an alliance, prepared the groundwork, and made significant sacrifices to ensure its success,” he said.
Okupe expressed doubt about the willingness of opposition leaders, including Atiku, Obi, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, to make similar concessions for one another. “Such maturity does not currently exist,” he said.
On Tinubu’s performance, Okupe described Nigeria as fortunate to have Tinubu as president, noting that he has purpose, zeal, and clarity about his vision for the country.
“It took Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore 31 years to transform the country into a first-world nation. We must decide whether we want this country to progress or continue playing politics and jeopardising the future of our children,” Okupe said.
MEANWHILE, a former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly acknowledged his involvement in the removal of Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike revealed this during an end-of-year thanksgiving celebration held in Ahoada-East/West in Ochigba town, Rivers State.
At the event, Wike stressed the values of steadfastness and integrity, commending the gathering for exemplifying these qualities. He remarked, “What you have shown today is what is called steadfastness. It’s very difficult to find people who are steadfast.”
Targeting his critics, particularly Secondus, Wike claimed that he ousted Secondus when the latter attempted to position his cousin, Tele Ikuru, as the governor of Rivers State. He further described former Governor Celestine Omehia as an “imbecile” for questioning his contributions to the state.
In a controversial statement, Wike criticised religious and traditional leaders for lacking integrity, and questioning their moral authority to preach to him. He asserted, “How can people who do not have character come and preach the word of God to me?”
Despite the criticisms, Wike reiterated his commitment to serving the people of Rivers State and accused detractors of trying to replicate his achievements.
His remarks were met with enthusiasm from the audience, which included prominent leaders and stakeholders of the PDP in the local councils of Ahoada-East and West.
