2026: Implementors of Nwifuru's tax policies should be called to order in Ebonyi - PDP Caretaker Committee Chair

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ebonyi State, Barr. Emmanuel Ekuma Onyebuchi, Thursday called on the State Government to caution the implementors of its tax policies in the State.

The Chairman stated that the people of the State have been caught in the web of unnecessary taxation, bothering on tenement rate, which is supposed to be paid by property owners and not tenants. 

According to him, a tenement rate is an annual tax or levy charged by local government authorities in Nigeria on developed and occupied properties within their jurisdiction. 

"I have witnessed a situation whereby a visitor was arrested because he visited someone who lives in a building that is owning tenement rate. This level of rascality being exhibited by the Implementors is indeed alarming and shouldn't be swept under the carpet. Our people are doing their best to come out of economic hardships and they shouldn't be plunged into any form of economic retrogression.

"Tenement rates, according to the Law is not paid by occupiers of a property but by the owners. Implementors of the tax policies of the present administration in Ebonyi State are going out of order and they need to be cautioned to avoid unnecessary lawsuits against the government.

"Some Ebonyi people who find it rather difficult to pay their rents are now being told to pay tenement rates meant for property owners. This is wrong as it is unlawful, offensive and an obvious violation of human rights."

Delivering his New Year Message, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP who expressed hope that 2026 will bring unprecedented prosperity for the State commended Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for the positive impacts of his administration on the people of the State.

He charged the government in power to ensure holistic implementation of people-oriented policies. He added that Ebonyi people deserve to be enriched, empowerment and projected to greater heights in every sphere of human endeavour.

"2026 is our year. We will be blessed this year beyond our goals, aspirations and expectations. I want to call on Ebonyi people to brace up for the challenges, exploits and expectations ahead of them. Let's prepare for the year 2026 and with the Almighty God on our side, we shall all succeed and sing praises to God." "