- Ex-VP: don’t give up on Nigeria
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has picked holes in Federal Government’s decision to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent.
He warned that the move, considering the recent fuel price hike, could plunge Nigeria deeper into economic hardship.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Atiku described the VAT increase and the accompanying rise in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices as “regressive and punitive policies”.
The former Vice President noted that the development would worsen the cost of living crisis among Nigerians who he said were reeling from rising inflation and unemployment.
“This increase in VAT is set to become the blazing inferno that will consume the very essence of our people,” he said.
The former Vice President criticised the government for putting more burdens on the poor while “ignoring their extravagant excesses,” including lavish spending on presidential villas, jets, and vehicles.
Atiku stressed that the new tax policies, alongside rising interest rates, have crippled businesses across the country, with the manufacturing sector suffering a significant downturn.Related News
He also lambasted Tinubu’s agricultural policies, particularly the recent decision to allow duty-free imports of key commodities, such as wheat, maize, and paddy, into the country.
Atiku warned that such policies threatened Nigeria’s food security by undercut local farmers who cannot compete with cheap imports from Asia, Europe, and America.
Also, Atikue has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain strong and optimistic for a better future for Nigeria.
The former Vice President spoke at a virtual interactive session with some Nigerians in the diaspora on Saturday, according to a statement yesterday in Lagos by the Senior Special Assistant on Communications & Intelligence and Diaspora, Office of Atiku Abubakar, Prof. Gold Emmanuel.
He advised Nigerian citizens not to give up on their country, regardless of the current socio-economic challenges.
WhatsApp Community
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
-
Two surveillance aircraft arrive in Ibadan to enhance statewide security
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The two surveillance aircraft acquired by the Oyo State Government to strengthen intelligence gathering and aerial security operations have arrived in Ibadan. The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, saying the arrival of the aircraft fulfilled the government’s earlier assurance that they would be delivered before the…
-
Tinubu Fires Back At Critics, Says Economy Rescued, Terrorists Will Be Defeated As Catholic Bishops Push For Credible 2027 Polls
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, strongly defended his administration’s handling of Nigeria’s economy and security, declaring that the country has been rescued from the brink of bankruptcy while assuring Nigerians that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping will ultimately be defeated. Nigeria oil market The President also dismissed concerns over the integrity of the…
-
El-Rufai’s Doctor Confesses to Authoring Medical Report Disowned by Hospital
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The medical doctor at the centre of the controversy surrounding a medical report submitted in support of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s bail application has admitted preparing the document but denied taking part in any plan to forge or falsify records. Dr. Bello Abubakar, a Chief Consultant Clinical and Radiation Oncologist at the…
