Amaechi accuses Tinubu of 'taxing dying Nigerians' after N70k wage hike

Former Rivers governor and ADC running mate Rotimi Amaechi tore into President Tinubu's economic policies on News Central TV Friday, claiming the N70,000 minimum wage increase is erased by "numerous taxes" introduced by the administration. "President increases your wages to N70,000 and takes it away through the back from the numerous taxes he has introduced, not just one. So you are taxing dying men," Amaechi said.

He challenged the purchasing power of the new wage, stating his team calculated N70,000 buys only 50 liters of fuel and asking "where 50 liters can take you to, Ibadan?" The 2027 election looms large in his critique: "I will be surprised and shocked if you vote for Tinubu. In this battle if you are neutral, you are on the side of Tinubu."

The attack signals ADC's campaign strategy — framing Tinubu's reforms as giving with one hand, taking with the other. But Amaechi's own record as Transport Minister under Buhari and two-term Rivers governor invites scrutiny on whether his alternative would differ substantively.

With fuel prices, inflation, and tax reforms dominating household budgets, the real question isn't just who criticizes loudest. It's whether any 2027 contender has a credible plan to grow wages faster than the cost of living — or if we're choosing between different versions of the same squeeze.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/11/06/tinubu-taxing-dying-nigerians-amaechi/