He said genuine prosperity cannot be achieved through policies that further impoverish citizens, stressing that sustainable economic growth must be built on trust, honesty and productivity.
Obi made these remarks in a statement shared on X, where he addressed issues of taxation, leadership responsibility and the erosion of the social contract between the government and the people.
Drawing from his engagements with leaders around the world, Obi noted that countries that achieved lasting transformation did so by uniting their citizens around a shared vision grounded in truth. He argued that leadership without honesty destroys consensus and undermines the foundations of development.
“As I travel the world and meet leaders who have transformed their nations, one lesson is clear: lasting economic and social progress begins with national consensus. Transformative leaders share a defining quality—honesty. Government must be transparent and truthful because citizens deserve nothing less,” he said.
Obi maintained that taxation should operate as a genuine social contract rooted in fairness, sincerity and concern for citizens’ welfare. He said every tax policy must be clearly explained, including its impact on incomes and how it contributes to national development.
“If taxation is to function as a genuine social contract, it must be grounded in sincerity, fairness and concern for the welfare of the people. Without transparency, taxation becomes a burden rather than a tool for growth and development,” he added.
The former governor argued that Nigeria’s fiscal challenge is not simply about increasing revenue but about making citizens wealthier so the nation can grow stronger. He said Nigerians are being asked to pay higher taxes without clarity, explanation or visible public benefits.
He identified the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises as the foundation for sustainable economic growth, noting that thriving small businesses create jobs, raise incomes and naturally expand the tax base.
“The solution begins with empowering small and medium-sized enterprises in every community. You cannot tax your way out of poverty; you must produce your way out of it,” Obi said.
Obi also expressed concern over what he described as an unprecedented tax fraud controversy, alleging that a tax law currently in use is not the version passed by the National Assembly. He said reports suggest the legislature has acknowledged discrepancies between what was approved and what was eventually gazetted.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, a tax law has reportedly been forged. Yet citizens are being asked to pay higher taxes under this altered framework, without transparency, explanation or corresponding benefits,” he said.
He warned against celebrating increased government revenue while citizens grow poorer, describing such outcomes as a failure of governance rather than success.
“There is no virtue in celebrating higher government revenue when the people are becoming poorer. Any tax system that impoverishes citizens violates the principles of good governance and sound fiscal policy,” Obi said.
“As I travel the world and meet leaders who have transformed their nations, one lesson is clear: lasting economic and social progress begins with national consensus. Transformative leaders share a defining quality—honesty. Government must be transparent and truthful because citizens deserve nothing less,” he said.
Obi maintained that taxation should operate as a genuine social contract rooted in fairness, sincerity and concern for citizens’ welfare. He said every tax policy must be clearly explained, including its impact on incomes and how it contributes to national development.
“If taxation is to function as a genuine social contract, it must be grounded in sincerity, fairness and concern for the welfare of the people. Without transparency, taxation becomes a burden rather than a tool for growth and development,” he added.
The former governor argued that Nigeria’s fiscal challenge is not simply about increasing revenue but about making citizens wealthier so the nation can grow stronger. He said Nigerians are being asked to pay higher taxes without clarity, explanation or visible public benefits.
He identified the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises as the foundation for sustainable economic growth, noting that thriving small businesses create jobs, raise incomes and naturally expand the tax base.
“The solution begins with empowering small and medium-sized enterprises in every community. You cannot tax your way out of poverty; you must produce your way out of it,” Obi said.
Obi also expressed concern over what he described as an unprecedented tax fraud controversy, alleging that a tax law currently in use is not the version passed by the National Assembly. He said reports suggest the legislature has acknowledged discrepancies between what was approved and what was eventually gazetted.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, a tax law has reportedly been forged. Yet citizens are being asked to pay higher taxes under this altered framework, without transparency, explanation or corresponding benefits,” he said.
He warned against celebrating increased government revenue while citizens grow poorer, describing such outcomes as a failure of governance rather than success.
“There is no virtue in celebrating higher government revenue when the people are becoming poorer. Any tax system that impoverishes citizens violates the principles of good governance and sound fiscal policy,” Obi said.
