N’Delta Activist Ozobo Condemns New Tax Law, Describes It as ‘Robbery’ Targeted at Poor Citizens

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Renowned Niger Delta rights activist, Senior Comrade Ozobo Austin, has strongly denounced Nigeria’s new tax law, labeling it “criminal” and a form of “robbery” that targets low-income earners. Ozobo, also known as King of the Dragons, warned that the law could spark widespread unrest if not reconsidered, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise restraint.

The new tax law imposes varying rates on different income brackets, including 15% for N800,001-N15M, 18% for N3,000,001-N12M, 21% for N12,000,001-N25,000,000, 23% for N25,000,001-N50,000,000, and 25% for above N50,000,000. Ozobo argued that these rates are excessive and will stifle business growth, particularly among low-income earners.

Ozobo attributed Nigeria’s economic woes to corruption, rather than poor taxation, emphasizing that fighting corruption genuinely would provide sufficient revenue for the government.

He accused President Tinubu of having ulterior motives, stating that the tax law is designed to enrich a select few at the expense of the majority.

The Nigerian government has insisted that the new tax law will take effect on January 1, 2026, despite calls for delay and concerns over alleged discrepancies in the gazetted version.

The rights advocate threatened a revolution over what he called obnoxious and dragonial tax law, noting that Nigerians can’t accept an attempt to put them in another hardship by the Tinubu administration.