Kachikwu urges Tinubu to suspend tax reforms amid economic hardship

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 general election, Dumebi Kachikwu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the ongoing tax reform policies, citing rising insecurity and severe economic hardship.

Kachikwu made the call on Wednesday at a world press conference in Abuja, arguing that Nigerians are already overburdened and cannot cope with additional taxes at a time when the cost of living continues to soar.

He said worsening insecurity and the impact of recent economic reforms have pushed many citizens to the brink, leaving them struggling to survive.

He warned that continued pressure on the masses could provoke widespread resistance if urgent steps are not taken.

Quoting from scripture, Kachikwu stressed that hope gives life strength, purpose, and prevents despair. However, he lamented that many Nigerians are rapidly losing hope as living conditions deteriorate through no fault of their own.

He likened the suffering of Nigerians to the biblical ordeal of the Israelites in Egypt, questioning whether the current leadership fully understands the plight of the people. Kachikwu cautioned that President Tinubu would not want to be remembered as a leader whose policies triggered a mass exodus from the country.

While acknowledging that the President inherited a weak economy in need of urgent intervention, Kachikwu argued that the ongoing economic “surgery” has instead deepened the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.

He therefore called for compassionate, people-centred policies that prioritise security, economic stability, and citizens’ welfare over aggressive taxation.