In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “well-known tax collector,” emphasizing his long-standing focus on fiscal policies and revenue generation.
Adebayo noted that President Tinubu’s tax reforms, both as former governor of Lagos State and now as President, represent a marked improvement over the previously disorganized system. “Tinubu has brought structure and discipline to the way taxes are collected in Nigeria. While not perfect, his reforms are steps in the right direction,” Adebayo stated, cautioning that praise by some political figures, including former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, may overstate the success of these measures.
The SDP candidate also weighed in on the broader economic situation in the country, describing the economy inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari as akin to an “emergency room patient.” He acknowledged that President Tinubu has made strides in stabilizing the economy, particularly in the areas of fiscal management and revenue collection. However, Adebayo expressed concern that the root causes of Nigeria’s economic challenges, including structural inefficiencies and debt management, have yet to be fully addressed.
Adebayo’s commentary reflects ongoing debates among political actors and economists over the direction of Nigeria’s economic policies. While many recognize improvements in tax collection and fiscal discipline, questions remain about how sustainable these reforms are and whether they will translate into broader economic growth and social welfare improvements for ordinary Nigerians.
The SDP candidate concluded by urging the government to continue reforming the tax system while simultaneously addressing structural economic issues to ensure long-term stability and growth.
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