The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, has pledged to end what he described as excessive taxation in the state if elected governor in 2027.
Nnaji alleged that the state’s taxation policies were driving businesses and investors away, making Enugu one of the most expensive states in Nigeria in which to operate a business.
The former Minister of Science and Technology made the remarks while addressing Enugu indigenes resident in Aba, Abia State, during a meeting organised by the Enugu State Consultative Forum, Abia State chapter.
He accused the state government of imposing heavy tax burdens on traders and business owners, including those operating in rural communities, warning that the situation was worsening economic hardship among residents.
According to him, his administration, if elected, would prioritise industrialisation, job creation, security and economic recovery rather than imposing taxes that could suffocate businesses.
Nnaji also expressed concern over what he described as the resurgence of armed robbery in parts of Enugu State, linking the development to unemployment, hunger and rising economic difficulties.
He promised to establish industries that would provide employment opportunities, reduce poverty and take more than 50,000 youths off the streets.
“What is happening in Enugu State is condemnable. Enugu is for all, but today, businessmen and investors are relocating from the state due to excessive taxation. And the state government doesn’t care,” he said.
He alleged that traders in rural communities were being subjected to unreasonable levies, claiming that some deliberately delayed opening their shops until tax officials had left.
Nnaji further claimed that government officials collected as much as N36,000 from some rural traders, despite their limited earnings.
“Tax is based on profit, not on shops, as they are doing in Enugu. People are hungry. Armed people now invade homes at midnight to collect phones, computers and food items such as rice, beans and garri. This is something that happened more than 20 years ago,” he added.
The PDP candidate also questioned the state’s internally generated revenue, alleging that it had increased from N26 billion to N406.7 billion.
He compared the figure with the revenue profiles of Abia and Anambra states, arguing that the development raised questions about the state’s revenue collection methods and their consequences for businesses.
He equally accused the current administration of significantly increasing Enugu’s debt profile, although he did not provide specific figures to support the allegation.
Nnaji said his proposed economic recovery programme would focus on wealth creation, industrial development and improving the standard of living of residents.
He disclosed that an Enugu State Recovery Committee had been established under his chairmanship as part of efforts to mobilise support and communicate his plans to indigenes living outside the state.
“We have set up the Enugu State Recovery Committee, with me as chairman. This is why we are visiting Enugu people residing outside the state, telling them about the poor situation of things in their state.
“Last week, we were at Alaba International Market, and we have visited many places. I want to recover Enugu. Once we win, we will build industries based on coal, iron ore and cement. There will be no more excessive taxation in Enugu when I win,” he said.
He also criticised the condition of roads in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, questioning how the state government had deployed its internally generated revenue and monthly federal allocations.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director-General of the Uche Nnaji Campaign Organisation, Charles Ndukwe, and Chief Uche Ugwu backed the candidate’s position, arguing that the state’s taxation policies had placed undue pressure on traders and business operators.
They maintained that the campaign’s agenda centred on industrialisation, employment generation and economic recovery, while expressing confidence in the PDP’s grassroots support in Enugu.
Similarly, PDP senatorial candidates, including Kingsley Chizoba Nweke, representing Enugu East, and Nestor Ezeme of Enugu North, encouraged Nnaji to remain committed to his governorship ambition.
Earlier, the President of the Enugu State Consultative Forum, Hon. Sunday Okonkwo, said the candidate’s manifesto addressed critical challenges confronting the state, particularly industrialisation, insecurity and youth empowerment.
Okonkwo said the forum was interested in governance proposals capable of improving the business environment and addressing the concerns of Enugu residents.
