Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has earnestly requested daily prayers from Nigerians as he faces the difficulties of enforcing laws against influential figures who believe they are above the law.
During his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike specifically addressed wealthy tax evaders in affluent areas of Abuja, questioning their assertions of representing the less fortunate.
He urged Nigerians to consider the demographics of the city’s wealthy.
“How many poor individuals reside in Maitama or Wuse? The wealthy hire people to speak to the media as if they are voicing the concerns of the poor,” he remarked.
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“Consider this: how many people can afford to own a house in Maitama? How many impoverished individuals run businesses in Maitama, the Central Business Area, Wuse, or Garki?” he added.
The minister compared Nigeria’s tax challenges to those in developed countries, highlighting the importance of tax compliance.
“Every government faces funding issues, which is why in advanced nations, they take tax matters seriously. You might even get away with murder, but not with tax evasion,” he stated.
He shared the personal impact of dealing with powerful interests, saying, “You should pray for people like us every day because of what we endure. When we choose to do the right thing, we receive all sorts of criticism.”
Wike also encouraged citizens to scrutinize the narratives of privileged individuals who resist reforms.
“You should make an effort to question the narratives of those who believe they are above the law,” he advised.
