Give Tinubu Time, He’ll Tax the Air We Breathe,’ Says SDP’s Adebayo

🚨 Give Tinubu Time, He’ll Tax the Air We Breathe,’ Says SDP’s Adebayo

Abuja, Nigeria - October 31, 2025

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has slammed President Bola Tinubu's administration, accusing him of being a "clever tax collector" who might soon impose a tax on the air Nigerians breathe.

Speaking on Channels TV's Politics Today, Adebayo expressed his concerns about the government's increasing tax burden on citizens, saying, "President Tinubu is a well-known tax collector. He wants to collect taxes from you for everything, including the oxygen tax very soon. Just give him time; he’s going to get there".

Adebayo's remarks come on the heels of the recent approval of a 15% import duty on refined petroleum products by President Tinubu. The SDP chieftain described the policy as "anti-people" and urged the president to prioritize refinery repairs instead of introducing new taxes.

"Call Heineke Lokpobiri and Bayo Ojulari and say, ‘I want those refineries to work in six months.’ Reduce importation to zero," Adebayo advised. "If you put 15% tariffs on imported petrol, who is going to pay for it? It’s going to be paid by the person who buys the petrol at the filling station".

Adebayo also criticized the government's reliance on imported fuel, blaming it for failing to rehabilitate the nation's refineries despite repeated investments. He emphasized the need for the government to focus on promoting economic growth and productivity rather than squeezing citizens with taxes.

In recent times, President Tinubu's tax policies have faced intense scrutiny, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over the increasing cost of living. Adebayo's remarks have sparked reactions from Nigerians, with many calling for a more nuanced approach to taxation that prioritizes economic growth and productivity.

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