Amaechi made the remarks while addressing supporters at a recent political gathering, where he claimed that a tax law already in place could significantly affect businesses and contractors once fully enforced.
According to him, the law provides for substantial deductions at source in certain transactions. He alleged that if a contractor is paid ₦100 million for building materials, as much as ₦25 million could automatically be deducted under the tax framework.
“By February next year, all of you will be in trouble if APC wins,” he said. “There is a tax law. Ask Tinubu why it is not being implemented. Immediately after the election, APC will implement the tax law.”
Amaechi, who is also a lawyer, encouraged Nigerians to verify his claims independently by consulting legal professionals and reviewing the relevant tax legislation themselves.
“If you say it’s a lie, take my statement to your lawyer. Tell your lawyer: give me the tax law and explain it to me. I am a lawyer,” he added.
Although Amaechi did not cite a specific section of the tax law, fiscal analysts note that Nigeria’s tax framework includes various withholding tax provisions and value-added tax (VAT) requirements that apply to business transactions.
As political activities gradually build toward the 2027 general elections, economic issues such as taxation, inflation, and revenue generation are expected to dominate campaign discussions.
Observers say statements like Amaechi’s highlight the growing tension between political messaging and fiscal policy realities, especially as Nigerians grapple with rising living costs.
Neither the presidency nor the APC has officially responded to the former minister’s remarks at the time of filing this report.
Disclaimer: Comments and opinions on any part of this website are the opinions of blog commenters or anonymous individuals, and do not reflect Strenuous Blog position.