Agbaje Denies Fashola’s Claim of Plans to Cancel Tax Collection-Ojo M. Maduekwe

 

 Jimi Agbaje,

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has denied claims made by Governor Babatunde Fashola that he would stop tax collection as governor.

In a statement yesterday, Agbaje, while reacting to the claim made by Fashola at a book launch in Lagos, said: “It is now clear to all observers that the outgoing Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola is committed to reiterating and repeating various versions of his well-known lies on the subject of Jimi Agbaje’s taxes.

“At the launch of his Attorney-General’s book, Fashola was reported to have ‘specifically mentioned as promising to withdraw or cancel payment of taxes in the state.’ All Lagosians know that this is another huge lie told by Governor Fashola.

“The strategy appears to be that if he repeats the lies often enough, they would eventually be believed irrespective of the veracity or lack of it, of his claims,” but, according to the statement, “The truth, as everyone knows, is that Agbaje never made such a statement.

“He has of course categorically affirmed that he would stop the unfair and dubious toll collection on the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Lagosians are now aware that the fraudulent and failed Private Public Partnership (PPP) on that road has been terminated and that the state-constructed road was only expanded by the erstwhile concessionaries using a significant proportion of state resources.

“We repeat that tolling on that road is oppressive, unfair and a fraud on the people as well as contrary to global best practices as there is no effective alternative to that expressway.

“Mr. Agbaje’s position is clear -Lagosians will pay taxes, but they will pay fair taxes. More Lagosians will be encouraged to come under the tax net, rather than over-burden the few compliant taxpayers.
“And Lagosians will have fair value for their taxes and none of their tax payments will be diverted to service the greed of ‘vested interests’ and ‘godfathers.’

“As for Governor Fashola and his lies, we caution him not to sacrifice all of his remaining integrity and reputation on the altar of cheap politics. But then we would not be too surprised if he shortly releases another lie!”

Culled from Thisday