APC warns Fayose against outrageoustaxes
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has warned Governor Ayodele Fayose of against imposing outrageous taxes on business
premises in the state
The party also decried Forced closure of business premises in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, saying the forced closure of businesses over alleged
refusal to pay taxes would compound the state’s economy’s woes. The party said the governor’s action was
a wrong signal toinvestors willing to do businesses in the state and a disincentive to local business
operators who struggled to cope with
cutthroat taxes being imposed by the
governor. Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement in Ado-
Ekiti, said the taxes imposed on business owners were too harsh, outrageous and exploitative. Describing Fayose administration’s
policies as lacking human face, he said, “The prevailing economic situation in the country doesn’t
support high taxes”. He said: “Locking out traders, shop and
business owners
without allowing them
opportunity to remove
their valuables is most
degrading, wicked,
ungodly and inhuman.
“The task force men
working with some
thugs refused the
business owners along
Bank Road to take the
keys to their homes,
cash, cheque books,
passbooks and other
documents as they
were locked inside,
which resulted in Igbo
traders that drive the
economy of the state to
stage a protest.”
Regretting that
suspected hoodlums
working for the
governor hijacked the
operation, he said
many of the traders
were physically
harassed and attacked
for failure to pay
outrageous taxes that
were already
threatening some of
the businesses along
that axis in the state
capital.
“Increasing taxes on
individuals and
businesses by almost
500 per cent in breach
of the agreement with
the local business
operators in a place
like Ekiti would kill
the economy that is
already weak.
“The forcible closure of
business centres has
deprived many Ekiti
residents of their
means of livelihood
while harsh economic
policies introduced by
the governor has
forced many hotels out
of business, as
hospitality business in
the state is now on life
support awaiting its
final death.
“This is unlike the
Kayode Fayemi
administration that
attracted many
investors to the state,
but now,
unfortunately, Fayose’s
actions are driving
investors away from
the state,” he said.
Olatunbosun added,
“instead of the
governor fulfilling his
promises as the friend
of the masses, he was
turning the cudgel
against the people he
deceived to get their
votes.
“Imposition of levies in
public schools, re-
introduction of school
fees and stoppage of
WAEC fees for final
year students in public
secondary schools are
all intended to take
education out of the
reach of the poor.
“This shows clearly
that Fayose is not the
friend of the masses as
he claims to be. His
actions and policies
have now proved that
he is the enemy of the
poor”.
