Tax Drive Should Not Kill Businesses – NDC Guber Candidate

Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kwara State, Prof. Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia, has accused the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW IRS) of adopting heavy-handed tax enforcement measures. He demanded full disclosure of the legal basis for the alleged sealing of businesses across the state and warned against any attempt to weaponise […]

Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kwara State, Prof. Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia, has accused the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW IRS) of adopting heavy-handed tax enforcement measures.

He demanded full disclosure of the legal basis for the alleged sealing of businesses across the state and warned against any attempt to weaponise institutions for political purposes.

Ajia, in a statement, said although payment of taxes remains a civic responsibility, enforcement must be anchored on transparency, due process and the rule of law rather than administrative discretion.

He said every tax assessment should be properly itemised, backed by existing laws and accompanied by adequate notice.

He added that there should be an opportunity to object and a fair hearing before any business is shut down.

According to him, closing operational businesses should only be considered as a last option because it deprives owners of the very resources required to offset their tax obligations while exposing workers, suppliers and customers to avoidable hardship.

“Every business must pay lawfully imposed taxes. However, every assessment must be transparent, itemized, based on published law, and subject to proper notice, objection, and fair hearing. Tax enforcement must never depend on administrative discretion,” he said.

Ajia argued that except in situations involving immediate threats to public safety, authorities should exhaust less punitive options such as dialogue, independent review, structured payment plans and court supervised recovery processes.

The opposition governorship candidate also raised concerns over alleged reports suggesting that a number of the affected businesses belong to long established non indigenous residents and others sympathetic to his governorship aspiration.

While admitting that the alleged pattern still requires independent verification, he insisted that the claims were weighty enough to justify immediate public clarification by the revenue agency.

“I call on KW-IRS to disclose the legal basis and calculation of the charges, the notices and appeal opportunities provided, and the authority under which each affected business was sealed.

Any premises sealed without due process should be reopened immediately,” he said.

Ajia further cautioned against any action capable of creating the impression that tax administration is being deployed to target political opponents or particular ethnic communities.

“Kwara belongs to everyone who lives, works, and invests in it. State institutions must never be used to intimidate any ethnic community, political opponent, or perceived supporter of an opposition party,” he added.

He warned that should the alleged actions continue, the NDC would engage affected business owners, civil society organisations and legal practitioners to pursue all lawful avenues for redress.

Ajia said his administration, if elected in 2027, would pursue an expanded tax base through policies that encourage business growth rather than undermine existing investments.

“Kwara needs revenue, but it also needs businesses that can survive, grow, create jobs, and contribute to our shared prosperity,” he said.