Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has condemned what he described as suffocating taxation policies under President Bola Tinubu, arguing that revenue generation must not come at the expense of citizens’ well‑being.
George also criticised contributions solicited for the private library of the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, calling the initiative insensitive amid Nigeria’s harsh economic realities.
In a statement titled, “2026: Nigeria at a critical junction in its journey,” the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland decried what he termed an erosion of democratic values in the country.
“We stand at a critical junction in our nation’s journey. The air is thick with apprehension, not because of a lack of potential, but because of a systematic erosion of the democratic values that bind us together,” he said.
George condemned what he described as an increasing pattern of hostility against dissenting voices, particularly the alleged harassment of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
“The harassment of Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde is not merely a political skirmish; it is a calculated assault on the federalist structure of our nation,” he said.
George warned that intimidating state executives for holding differing views could herald a drift toward a one‑party state.
“Democracy thrives on a plurality of ideas, not the silence of the graveyard,” he added.
The ex‑PDP leader criticised the fundraising for the First Lady’s private library, saying it was out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
“While our people grapple with unprecedented hardship, we see a jarring disconnect in the corridors of power. The massive contributions toward a private library for the First Lady represent a profound insensitivity to the current economic climate,” George said.
He argued that funds would be better spent alleviating poverty.
“In a land where millions go to bed hungry, such funds would have been better utilized in ameliorating the biting poverty that has become the daily companion of the average Nigerian,” he added.
George urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold credibility and fairness in elections, stressing that democracy requires transparency.
“You must be just; you must be fair. The era of ‘miracle results’ and technical glitches must end,” he said.
Addressing the Federal Government, he called for a rethink of tax policies.
“The prevailing taxation policies are suffocating the very businesses and individuals they should be empowering,” he said.
He asserted that while revenue is necessary, it should not undermine the survival of citizens.
“While revenue is necessary, it must not come at the cost of the people’s survival,” George said.
George warned against the suppression of opposition parties.
“A democracy without a viable opposition is a dictatorship in disguise,” he said.
He referenced the situation in Venezuela as a cautionary example, noting that even resource‑rich nations can falter when leadership prioritises power over the people.
He said, “We need only look at the Venezuela experience to see the consequences of hyper‑taxation, the suppression of opposition, and the erosion of democratic institutions.”
George urged Nigerians to choose a different path, protect governors, respect citizens’ finances, and ensure an electoral process that is beyond reproach.
He added, “Let us choose a different path. Let us protect our governors, respect our citizens’ pockets, and ensure our electoral process is beyond reproach. The soul of our nation depends on it.”