By Seyi Babalola
A new tension has surfaced in the opposition camp after Hon. Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, publicly rejected claims made by Senator Ireti Kingibe of the African Democratic Congress over an alleged fuel tax and a flat 25 per cent levy on Nigerians’ earnings
Agbese, the Labour Party leader in Benue State, accused the FCT senator of deliberately misleading the public with scare-mongering tactics designed to harvest cheap political points ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the federal lawmaker described Kingibe’s comments as reckless, factually bankrupt and an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians already battling economic hardship.
He insisted that no new fuel tax exists in the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and that her claim of a flat 25 per cent tax on every citizen’s income is a complete fabrication.
“Senator Ireti Kingibe is playing dangerous scare-mongering politics with the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians,” Agbese declared.
“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.
“This is pure political opportunism of the worst kind. For the record, the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 is a progressive tax system.
“The 25 per cent rate applies only to the portion of annual income above ₦50 million. The first ₦800,000 is taxed at zero per cent. Millions of Nigerians will pay nothing or very little.
“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.”
Agbese further noted that Kingibe’s attempt to link the tax laws to a non-existent fuel tax is part of a pattern of opposition figures weaponising economic pain for electoral gain.
He pointed out that the tax reform laws were passed by the National Assembly, gazetted, and took effect on 1 January 2026 — facts that the senator has conveniently ignored while claiming implementation was being delayed until after the 2027 elections.
The Labour Party lawmaker said Kingibe’s conduct was particularly disappointing because, as a sitting senator, she had access to the full text of the legislation and the benefit of legislative briefings.
He argued that her decision to still spread false information amounted to a betrayal of public trust.
“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.”
