From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s re-election bid over multiple taxation and uncoordinated revenue collection in Anambra State.
IPMAN issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government to reform its revenue system or face a shutdown of all filling stations.
Chinedu Anyaso, IPMAN Chairman for Enugu Depot covering Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States, spoke to journalists after a meeting in Awka. He expressed frustration over harassment, intimidation, and extortion by Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) officials. “The attitude of these tax collectors has overwhelmed our imagination. We have lost a lot of money to this uncontrollable taxation,” Anyaso said.
He noted that IPMAN paid N120,000 monthly as a levy in 2024, but payments increased unexpectedly in January 2025, causing financial strain. “Petroleum marketers are dying in Anambra State,” Anyaso stated, demanding a fixed levy amount. He warned that failure to address these issues within 21 days would lead to a statewide shutdown of petrol stations.
Anyaso urged Governor Soludo to intervene and stop the “criminal exploitation” by AIRS officials. In response, AIRS Chairman Chief Greg Ezeilo assured IPMAN that the state would form a committee to resolve the concerns.
The meeting caused hours of disruption, with fuel station closures stranding passengers across Anambra State.