Nigerians Too Poor, Taxing Them Will Provoke Resistance — Sowore
Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised Nigeria’s new tax reforms, warning that policies which impose additional financial burdens on poor citizens could spark public resistance.
Sowore made the remarks while reacting to ongoing fiscal reforms aimed at expanding the country’s tax base and boosting government revenue. He argued that many Nigerians are already struggling with rising living costs, unemployment and shrinking incomes, making increased taxation both unfair and unsustainable.
According to him, imposing new or higher taxes on low-income earners without corresponding improvements in public services and social welfare would deepen hardship and fuel discontent.
“Nigerians are too poor. Any attempt to tax people who can barely survive will provoke resistance,” Sowore said, stressing that economic reforms must prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens.
He called on the Federal Government to focus on tackling corruption, reducing waste in governance and expanding productive economic opportunities rather than relying heavily on taxes from vulnerable populations.
Sowore also urged authorities to adopt progressive taxation measures that place a greater burden on the wealthy and large corporations, while protecting low-income households through exemptions and social support programmes.
The Federal Government has defended its tax reforms as necessary to stabilise public finances and fund critical infrastructure and social services. However, the policies have continued to attract mixed reactions from stakeholders, including labour unions, civil society groups and political figures.
As debates over the reforms persist, analysts say public acceptance will depend largely on transparency, fairness and visible improvements in service delivery.
