Amaechi accuses Tinubu of taxing dying Nigerians, pledges policy review under Atiku

Rotimi Amaechi, the presidential running mate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused President Bola Tinubu of imposing excessive financial burdens on Nigerian citizens. Speaking on Friday, November 6, 2026, Amaechi described the current economic situation as one where the government is effectively taxing individuals who are already struggling to survive. The former Governor of Rivers State made these remarks during an interview with News Central TV, where he outlined the economic stance of his party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amaechi specifically criticized the administration’s approach to the minimum wage, noting that while the wage was increased to N70,000, the benefit is largely negated by multiple layers of taxation. He argued that the cumulative effect of these levies leaves workers with insufficient purchasing power. To illustrate the severity of the cost of living, Amaechi cited figures from his team indicating that the N70,000 minimum wage is equivalent to the cost of 50 liters of fuel. He questioned the practical utility of such a small amount of fuel for daily transportation, using it as a metaphor for the broader economic hardship facing the population. In his view, the government’s actions are detrimental to the well-being of ordinary Nigerians, who he described as "dying" under the current economic conditions.

Background

The comments come as the ADC prepares for the 2027 presidential race, with Atiku Abubakar serving as the party’s flagbearer. Amaechi revealed that his party has a clear strategy for handling the economic policies inherited from the current administration. He stated that if Atiku Abubakar is elected president, the new government would sit down with the cabinet to conduct a thorough review of Tinubu’s economic measures. According to Amaechi, policies that are not detrimental to Nigerians would be inherited and continued, while those that harm the populace would be discontinued. This approach signals a selective adoption of existing frameworks rather than a complete overhaul, contingent on the impact of specific policies on the citizenry.

A key point of contention in Amaechi’s critique involves a specific tax law that has been passed by the National Assembly but is not yet in effect. He alleged that this legislation mandates that if an individual has N100 million in their bank account, N25 million would be automatically deducted and paid to the Federal Government without the account holder’s consent. Amaechi claimed that the law was passed by a member of the National Assembly, identified as Ireti, who confirmed the passage of the bill but noted it was not being implemented. Amaechi suggested that President Tinubu is delaying the implementation of this law out of fear that its enforcement would drive more citizens to join the ADC. He challenged the President to engage in a debate on this matter, asserting that the current administration is waiting for the elections to conclude before fully enforcing such measures.

Why it matters

The stakes of the 2027 election are framed by Amaechi as a choice between the status quo and a potential economic reset. He argued that neutrality in the upcoming election effectively aligns a voter with the current administration, implying that inaction supports the continuation of policies he deems harmful. The ADC’s position highlights the significant public dissatisfaction with the cost of living and the perceived ineffectiveness of the minimum wage increase. By promising to discard detrimental policies, the opposition is appealing to voters who feel overtaxed and financially strained. The specific mention of the unimplemented N25 million deduction law serves as a focal point for the opposition’s narrative, suggesting that the current government is withholding the full weight of its fiscal policies until after the electoral process is complete. This narrative aims to mobilize voters by emphasizing the immediate and future economic risks associated with the current leadership.