Abia Government Denies ₦50,000 Tax on Akara Sellers

The Abia State Government has refuted claims that it imposed a ₦50,000 tax on women selling akara in the streets, dismissing the allegation as false and politically motivated.

Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made the clarification on Monday in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the weekly executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu stressed that the administration had abolished multiple taxation and had not introduced any new levies as alleged by the opposition.

“There is another one trending. It is the story of an akara seller who is paying ₦50,000 as tax. This is pure fallacy and nothing can be farther from the truth. Akara sellers don’t pay tax or levies; they only pay daily tolls,” he explained.

He further noted that the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue cannot increase taxes without approval from the House of Assembly.

The commissioner also dismissed claims that opposition pressure forced the government to begin gratuity payments to pensioners, insisting that the initiative was part of Governor Otti’s commitment to easing the burden on retirees and business owners.