SDP Criticises Tinubu’s Tax Policies, Demands Accountability from Ekiti Government

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticised the tax policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Ekiti State Government, describing the state’s adoption of the Federal Government’s tax regime as “taxation without accountability.”

In a statement titled “APC’s Tax Regime in Ekiti: Taxation Without Accountability, Social Justice Without Substance,” the opposition party argued that the push for greater tax compliance lacked the transparency, accountability and measurable improvements in citizens’ welfare needed to justify additional tax burdens.

The statement, signed by the SDP South-West Zonal Organising Secretary, Wale Balogun, maintained that taxation should reflect a social contract between government and citizens, with taxpayers entitled to prudent management and accountable use of public funds.

The party alleged that both the Federal Government and the Ekiti State Government had failed to meet that obligation despite significant increases in public revenue.

According to the SDP, the Federal Government has continued to demand greater sacrifices from Nigerians without demonstrating fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability in managing public resources.

The party noted that since the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, many Nigerians have experienced rising inflation, declining purchasing power and worsening poverty despite increased federally distributable revenue.

The SDP also expressed concern over public financial management, alleging that issues surrounding revenue administration and the management of public funds remained unresolved while several high-profile corruption allegations had not been fully investigated.

It further criticised what it described as poor budget implementation, alleging that projects were repeatedly rolled over from one fiscal year to another while new budgets continued to be introduced.

The party said the situation raised concerns about government planning, project execution and accountability.

Focusing on Ekiti State, the SDP questioned the decision to domesticate the Federal Government’s tax reforms, arguing that residents deserved an explanation of how existing public revenues had been utilised before being subjected to additional tax obligations.

The party cited official figures which it said showed that Ekiti’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) increased from about ₦10.9 billion in 2020 to approximately ₦34.7 billion in 2024.

It also claimed that the state’s total revenue rose from ₦72.7 billion to over ₦377 billion within the same period, while allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) increased from about ₦49.1 billion in 2020 to more than ₦287.2 billion in 2024.

According to the SDP, such increases should prompt greater public accountability rather than celebration.

The party challenged the Ekiti State Government to disclose annual internally generated revenue collections, statutory allocations, VAT receipts, grants, intervention funds and detailed records of projects executed with public funds.

It also called for independent value-for-money assessments of major capital projects and sought explanations for the continued dependence of local governments on state-controlled disbursements despite constitutional provisions on local government financial autonomy.

Balogun stated that transparency was a constitutional obligation rather than a privilege.

The SDP also questioned the state’s development priorities, arguing that while projects such as the Ado-Ekiti overhead bridge had been promoted as major achievements, challenges including rural road infrastructure, potable water supply, healthcare, education, agriculture, youth employment and industrial development remained unresolved.

The party maintained that infrastructure projects should deliver measurable economic and social benefits instead of serving as political symbols.

The statement also revisited concerns surrounding the last Ekiti governorship election, claiming that questions remained among some citizens and opposition parties over whether the declared outcome reflected the wishes of voters.

The SDP argued that the concerns highlighted the need for greater transparency and public confidence in the democratic process.

Citing Sections 14, 16 and 17 of the 1999 Constitution, the party said the primary responsibility of government was the security and welfare of the people, adding that public resources should be directed toward social justice, economic development and improved living standards.

According to the party, tax revenues should be invested in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, housing, food security, transportation, employment generation, rural development and environmental protection.

The SDP maintained that governments must first account for existing public resources before imposing additional tax burdens on citizens.

The opposition party also promoted its political agenda, describing its 2027 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, as offering Nigerians an alternative based on constitutional governance, accountability, production-driven economic development and social justice.

The SDP called on Nigerians to reject what it described as anti-poor economic policies and urged Ekiti residents to demand greater transparency before accepting new taxes.

It also appealed to voters in neighbouring Osun State to vote against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election, arguing that doing so would prevent the extension of what it described as anti-poor policies into the state.