Man challenges North to generate VAT from bandits, B'H, million votes

The issue of VAT collection started in Nigeria when the Governor of the Rivers state urged the companies within the state to start paying their taxes to the state. This decision came less than a week after a Rivers state High Court alleged that Federal Government does not have the right to collect VAT in the 36 states. The justice of the court stated that the constitution has governors the right to direct the affairs of their state, hence, they have the right to collect VAT as well.

Unfortunately, the order of the court was appealed by an appeal court. After the order, a group identified as Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has directed all companies in the country to pay the VAT directly to the account of the FIRS. LCCI stated that FIRS has the right to continue to collect VAT in the states of the federation until another decision has been made by a superior court.

Sadly, many people were not happy with the statement made by the Lagos Chambers of Commerce Industry (LCCI). A few of those who were not happy is a man called Thompson Ekpenyong. He suggested that ” The north should generate their VAT from Bandits, Boko haram and millions vote. ”

Arioch Okeke said ” To be honest, I believe the north is squeezing too much out of the south and I don’ t know if this is right. When I think of the loans taken so far to be used for railways in the north and west and begin to imagine how these debts will be paid back I get worried cos we all know that the bulk will come from oil and gas sales or import taxes from Lagos wholly brought about by Igbo traders thereby mortgaging the future southern generations. Next is the gas pipelines to suck gas from the same southern region. Is this sustainable and will the people of the south continue to allow themselves to be cheated? ”


” These are questions which need answers because when you listen to people like Baba Ahmed who’ s father is Mauritanian giving an ultimatum to indigenous people as to what will and will not happen in Nigeria during elections, the signs are clear that some do not want peace between all regions, we have to learn to live by conscience or else this country will collapse and everybody will rest finally, my take is that we need to bring in equity to save this country, people are now aware and tired of nepotism."