By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Former presidential candidate and political economist, Kingsley Moghalu, has criticised the Federal Government’s push for additional taxes, arguing that it is unfair to burden Nigerians further in the face of corruption and waste in governance.
In a statement on his official X handle, Moghalu said that while taxes are an important part of the social contract between citizens and government, Nigeria’s leaders have failed to demonstrate accountability in the use of existing revenues.
“The profligacy and corruption in what passes for governance in our country makes it unfair to expect citizens to pay any additional taxes,” he wrote. “Yes, taxes are important, but where have oil revenues and the numerous loans we have borrowed been spent?”
He stressed that accountability is a core principle of governance, one he said is lacking among Nigeria’s political elites. According to him, while the recently passed tax reform laws may be steps in the right direction, they fall short of addressing the more fundamental issues of transparency and responsible management of public funds.
“The core questions of accountability and transparency must be addressed. They haven’t,” Moghalu added.
His comments come amid widespread public debate over government’s tax reforms, with critics warning that new levies will deepen hardship for citizens already struggling with inflation and subsidy removal.
