Atiku’ll eliminate multiple taxation, others, says PDP campaign

THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO) has said that its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has perfected a blueprint that will eliminate multiple taxation, slash income taxes, as well as commodity tax rates and increase government funding to small and medium enterprises in key sectors of the economy.

According to the opposition party, this will mark a clear difference between Atiku Abubakar and President Muhamamdu Buhari, who, the PDP said, is planning to increase the suffering of Nigerians by imposing more taxes on them in the coming year.

In a statement yesterday by the campaign spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said Atiku is personally worried over the current huge tax burden and hidden levies on businesses, common commodities and services imposed by the present administration.

It added that such policies by the Buhari administration has led to the prevalent economic strangulation, high costs and untold hardship being faced by Nigerians.

The statement said: “A detailed check on the tax regime under President Buhari’s administration shows that apart from huge capital gain taxes, which is crippling businesses and scaring away investors to other countries, Nigerians are also bearing the huge burden of hidden taxes on everyday consumer goods and services.”

The PDP Campaign, however, urged Nigerians not to despair as its candidate has articulated a framework that would streamline tax administration and ensure transparency in remittance and spending as well as support private businesses to thrive.

“Part of the framework in Atiku Abubakar’s policy document shows a plan “towards achieving the lowest corporate income tax rate in Africa, in order to make Nigeria one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment.

“This is in addition to a plan to achieve lower transaction costs (including lowering the capital gain tax) to attract investment and boost activities in the capital market, as well as ensuring that the granting of qualification for tax incentives is in accordance with pre-determined, uniform and clear criteria,” the statement added.

PDP has also alleged plans by the Federal Government to arrest members of the National Assembly that booed President Muhammadu Buhari during the presentation of the 2019 budget proposal.

Members of federal legislature had on Wednesday, split into two groups, with one group mainly made of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) hailing President Buhari. Another group of PDP legislators booed and heckled the President.

Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, a spokesman for the PPCO, Alhaji Buba Galadima, accused the Presidency of having directed security agencies to start compiling names of lawmakers, who booed the President for the purpose of arresting them.

Galadima said there were several instances across the globe where parliamentarians booed and even pelted presidents and prime ministers at similar functions.

He warned that the Presidency would be breaching the rules of democracy by arresting the legislators.

According to him, the lawmakers enjoy parliamentary privileges covering their actions and so cannot be arrested or prosecuted for actions that took place on the floor of their hallowed chambers.