A former All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Abia State, Paul Ikonne, has called on Governor Alex Otti to roll back what he described as “harsh” tax policies on traders in Aba and provide a transparent account of funds reportedly spent on school renovations and market projects.
In a statement released Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ujo Justice, Ikonne said traders at Ariaria International Market, who previously paid ₦18,000 per shop annually, are now required to pay over ₦36,000. With more than 88,000 shops in the market, this translates to roughly ₦3.1 billion yearly.
“The same situation is being experienced at Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Timber Market, and other trading clusters in Aba,” Ikonne said, noting that this contradicts the governor’s campaign promise of lower taxes.
The APC chieftain also demanded clarity on ₦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,” he said.
Ikonne further urged the governor to honour the Memorandum of Understanding signed with traders under the previous administration, which allowed them to reclaim their shops after remodelling.
“Instead, traders are being asked to pay as high as ₦15 million to re-acquire their shops. That is an anti-trader policy that adds untold hardship and suffering,” he stated.
He added that with a monthly federal allocation exceeding ₦30 billion, plus local government funds, the state has the resources to provide modern markets with basic amenities such as electricity, potable water, fire services, and security, without overburdening traders.
“There is no justification for squeezing Aba traders dry when the government has the financial capacity to provide these amenities. This ₦15 million shop fee and ₦36,000 levy are exploitative and run contrary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Ikonne declared.
He emphasised that Aba, the economic heartbeat of the state, must not be “strangled by taxation without development,” stressing that a government punishing traders has failed in its duty to the people.
