Rich Must Pay More! Oshiomhole Defends Tinubu’s New Tax Laws, Says Only Luxury Buyers Should Worry About VAT

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has stepped forward to defend President Bola Tinubu’s newly implemented tax reforms, describing the policy as a “pro-poor” move that finally asks Nigeria’s wealthiest citizens to carry their fair share of the national burden.

Speaking on a national television program on Wednesday, the former Edo State Governor and veteran labor leader insisted that the facts on the ground do not support the widespread fear surrounding the new laws. According to him, the 2026 tax regime is “progressive” because it is structured to ensure that those who earn the least are shielded from the taxman, while those at the top of the economic ladder contribute more to the treasury.

Addressing the heated debate over Value Added Tax (VAT), Oshiomhole pointed out a double standard among some Nigerians. He noted that many travelers pay VAT on shopping trips to the UK, US, and UAE without a second thought but become “allergic” to the same tax when it is collected in Nigeria to fund local infrastructure. He clarified that for the average Nigerian, VAT is largely a non-issue because basic necessities like food, education, and healthcare remain protected or zero-rated.

“It is only in Nigeria that we talk as if the government has its own farm or oil well that prints money independently,” Oshiomhole remarked. “Governments don’t ‘earn’ money; they collect it from those who are making an income. If we want better roads and security, the money must come from somewhere, and it is only fair that it comes from those with the most to give.”

The Senator further reassured the working class, stating that as someone who has spent his life fighting for workers’ rights, he would not support a bill that crushes the common man. He highlighted that under the new reforms, nearly all low-level earners are exempted from Personal Income Tax, while small businesses have been granted significant breaks to help them survive the current economic climate.

Oshiomhole concluded by urging Nigerians to look past the “political noise” and see the reforms as a necessary “structural reset” intended to build a more honest and sustainable social contract between the government and the governed.