Hon. Philip Agbese the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State has accused Senator Ireti Kingibe of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of misleading Nigerians over claims of a fuel tax and a flat 25 per cent tax on citizens’ earnings.
Agbese a Labour Party chieftain in Benue State alleged that Kingibe was exploiting Nigerians’ economic difficulties to score political points ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday the federal lawmaker described the senator’s comments as misleading insisting that the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 did not introduce a new fuel tax or impose a flat 25 per cent income tax on every Nigerian.
‘Senator Ireti Kingibe is playing dangerous scare-mongering politics with the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians’ Agbese said.
‘She knows there is no fuel tax in the tax reform laws yet she continues to package falsehoods as fact just to frighten the people and position herself as some kind of saviour.’
He said the tax reforms introduced a progressive tax system under which the 25 per cent rate applied only to the portion of annual income exceeding ?50 million.
According to him the first ?800000 of annual income is tax-exempt meaning some Nigerians would pay no income tax under the new framework.
‘For her to claim every Nigerian will lose 25 per cent of their earnings is either deliberate ignorance or outright mischief. She should be ashamed of herself’ he said.
Agbese also faulted Kingibe for linking the tax reforms to an alleged fuel tax calling the claim part of a pattern of opposition politicians exploiting economic hardship for electoral advantage.
He maintained that the National Assembly had passed the tax reform laws gazetted them and they took effect on January 1 2026.
The lawmaker also disputed Kingibe’s reported suggestion that implementation had been delayed until after the 2027 general elections.
Agbese said the senator’s position was particularly troubling because her status as a member of the National Assembly gave her access to the legislation and relevant legislative briefings.
He argued that spreading inaccurate information about the tax laws undermined public trust and called on political leaders to provide Nigerians with accurate information about the reforms.
‘How does a senator who participated in the National Assembly process turn around and tell Nigerians that a fuel tax is coming when none exists?
‘How does she look Nigerians in the face and claim a flat 25 per cent tax when the law clearly says otherwise?’ Agbese asked.
‘She is taking Nigerians for a ride and I will not stay silent while she does it. Kingibe should go back and read the Nigeria Tax Act properly instead of circulating half-truths and fear.
‘If she cannot educate the public with facts she should at least stop poisoning the atmosphere with lies.’
Agbese said the opposition’s strategy of exaggerating and inventing tax burdens would ultimately backfire.
He maintained that Labour Party candidates including himself would continue to present clear verifiable positions rather than resort to emotional blackmail.
He also challenged Kingibe to produce the specific section of the tax laws that imposes either a fuel tax or a uniform 25 per cent levy on all earnings daring her to defend her claims with the actual legal text rather than viral rhetoric.
‘She should retract apologise and stop using the hardship of the people as a political ladder. Anything short of that confirms that she is more interested in 2027 votes than in truth.’