Paul Ikonne Slams Otti Over ‘Harsh’ Tax Hike on Aba Traders, Demands Accountability on ₦54bn School Projects | #NwokeukwuMascot

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A former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Paul Ikonne, has strongly criticized Governor Alex Otti’s administration over what he described as “punitive and exploitative” tax policies imposed on traders in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.




In a statement issued on Wednesday through his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ujo Justice, Ikonne said the governor’s policies were worsening economic hardship for traders, contrary to his campaign promises of tax relief.




He cited the case of Ariaria International Market, where traders who previously paid ₦18,000 per shop annually are now being compelled to pay over ₦36,000. With more than 88,000 shops in the market, Ikonne estimated that the government would rake in over ₦3.1 billion yearly from the traders alone.




“The same exploitative situation is playing out at Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Timber Market, and other commercial hubs across Aba,” he said. “This is in direct contradiction of Governor Otti’s promise of lower taxes during the campaign.”




Beyond taxation, the APC chieftain questioned what he termed the “opaque expenditure” of the Otti administration, demanding full disclosure of the ₦54 billion reportedly spent on renovating 51 schools and ₦7 billion on recreational centres.




“Governor Otti, fear God and show us the 51 schools you claimed to have renovated with ₦54 billion,” Ikonne challenged.




He also faulted the administration’s handling of market remodelling, insisting that the Memorandum of Understanding signed with traders under the past administration granting them the right to reclaim their shops after remodelling should be honoured.




“Instead of honouring the agreement, traders are now being asked to pay as much as ₦15 million to re-acquire their shops. That is an anti-trader policy that inflicts untold suffering,” he argued.




Ikonne stressed that with a monthly federal allocation exceeding ₦30 billion, in addition to local government funds, Abia State has the capacity to provide modern, well-equipped markets with essential facilities such as electricity, potable water, fire service units, and security without imposing what he described as “punitive levies” on traders.




“There is absolutely no justification for squeezing Aba traders dry when the government has the financial resources to deliver these amenities,” he stated. “This ₦15 million shop fee and ₦36,000 levy are exploitative and run contrary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”




The former governorship hopeful warned that over-taxing Aba the state’s economic powerhouse amounts to strangling its growth and undermining the livelihoods of thousands of families.




“A government that punishes traders has failed in its duty to the people,” Ikonne declared.


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