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By Okey Maduforo Awka
Ahead of the 2027 general election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has vowed to end what it called “the ruthless and inhuman tax regime” of the State Governor, Peter Mbah.
Enugu ADC also vehemently criticised Governor Mba over the elaborate grand unveiling of a book, containing the projects and milestones of his administration.
According to the statement by the party’s spokesman of the party Mr Paul Anigbogu to mark the beginning of its campaign for the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Enugu State.
In the statement released electronically through its media unit on Thursday, Enugu ADC described Governor Mbah’s tax regime as unprecedented in the 35-year history of the state.
The party alleged that the Mbah administration reduced the population of the state through excessive taxation and levies, in a manner never witnessed since the creation of Enugu State in 1991.
According to Enugu ADC, Mbah’s government, rather than create wealth, created misery everywhere in Enugu State, by imposing heavy tax burden on the people who have been struggling since May 29, 2023 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy in his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023.
Quoting part of the statement: “We have never seen a government like that of Mbah. He first came with massive demolition of property in Enugu and Nsukka, destroying peoples means of livelihood under the guise of urban renewal.
“He demolished Old Park Enugu, sacking hundreds of traders. He demolished Ogige Market Nsukka, the main commercial hub for the Nsukka cultural zone, serving the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
“Thousands of traders were affected. Many people affected became depressed. Many died out of depression and frustration
“As if it was not enough, he unleashed his ruthless and inhuman tax policies on those who survived. Taxes, including utility rates, charges on business premises and property taxes were hiked astronomically, the way it has never been done in Enugu State before.
“We never witnessed such under the regimes of Chimaroke Nnamani, Sullivan Chime and even Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The taxation policies of these former governors had human face because they knew that our people are mainly salary earners.They knew that if they hiked taxes in a reckless manner, landlords and traders will increase rents and prices of commodities, respectively.”
Enugu ADC regretted that Mbah, rather than toe the line of his predecessors, decided to suffocate the people with taxes, making life miserable for them.
The statement, however, assured the people of Enugu State of succour under an ADC government, both at the State and Federal level.
“Thankfully, our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has announced that he will return subsidy on the day of his Inauguration in 2027, the way Tinubu removed it on the day of his Inauguration in 2023. Atiku is a man of his word.
“We appeal to Ndi-Enugu not to despair because their suffering will soon end under our ADC government,” the party stated.
Enugu ADC promised 50 percent tax cut for MSMEs in Enugu State for one year, to enable them recover from the shock they suffered under the Mbah government.
According to the statement, the 50 percent tax cut, which commences from the first day of ADC in Enugu Government House, will enable the businesses to save money and reinvest, to accelerate business growth in Enugu State.
The party expressed optimism that the one year tax exemption will enable Infant businesses to survive, become stable and grow, thereby contributing to economic growth and job creation in Enugu State.
Regarding the grand unveiling of the book on the projects and milestones of Mbah, Enugu ADC noted that if he executed projects that impacted the lives of the people positively, there was no need for him to spend the limited resources of the state to advertise them in a book.
The party recalled that while campaigning for the office of the Governor of Enugu State in 2023, Mbah promised to deliver potable water in Enugu within 180 days of his administration, but more than three years into his government, water remains a very scarce commodity everywhere in the State.
The party maintained that Mbah has no virgin projects to showcase as his achievements, besides completing the ones started and taken to advanced stages by his predecessors.
“He unveiled nothing but failed projects, such as the poorly constructed smart schools, type three hospitals and shoddy road projects. He just expanded some existing roads, partitioned them into two and called them road duslisation projects. A lane is some of the dualised roads cannot contain two vehicles at a time.
“The grand unveiling of Mbah’s achievements is unveiling of failure. It is merely a campaign gimmick.There is nothing on ground to show for over one trillion Naira Federal Allocation and Internally Generated Revenue that has accrued to Enugu State since he assumed office in May 2023.
“A good product markets itself. If the smart schools were successful, why are our children not studying there? A contractor bolted away with N5 billion meant for the smart school project. We were told that he returned one point something billion, which the EFCC handed over to Enugu State Government. What happened to the balance?” the party stated.
It added that If Governor Mbah had any meaningful human centred projects to showcase, he would have done that straight away, without any elaborate unveiling ceremony.
