Former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Paul Ikonne, has accused Governor Alex Otti of imposing what he described as “harsh and exploitative” taxes on traders in Aba while failing to provide transparent accounts of billions of naira reportedly spent on public projects.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ujo Justice, Ikonne alleged that traders at the Ariaria International Market, who previously paid ₦18,000 per shop annually, are now compelled to pay more than ₦36,000.
With over 88,000 shops in the market, he said this amounted to roughly ₦3.1 billion annually.
“The same situation is being experienced at Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Timber Market, and other trading clusters in Aba,” Ikonne said, accusing Gov. Otti of reneging on his campaign promise to reduce taxes on traders.
The APC stalwart also questioned the Otti administration’s claim of spending ₦54 billion on the renovation of 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,” Ikonne declared.
He further alleged that traders are being forced to pay as much as ₦15 million to reclaim their shops after the shops had been remodeled, despite an existing memorandum of understanding signed under the previous administration that allowed traders to repossess their shops without exorbitant costs.
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“That is an anti-trader policy that adds untold hardship and suffering,” he said.
Ikonne maintained that with Abia State receiving a monthly federal allocation exceeding ₦30 billion, in addition to local government funds, the government has enough resources to provide modern markets with electricity, potable water, fire services, and security infrastructure without burdening 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 Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he stated.
The APC chieftain stressed that Aba, widely regarded as the commercial hub of Abia State, must not be strangled by what he described as “taxation without development.”
“A government punishing traders has failed in its duty to the people,” Ikonne added.
