The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 election to rescue the state from what he described as punitive taxation policies that are driving investors away and impoverishing local residents.
Speaking on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, during an interactive session with stakeholders and Enugu indigenes in Lagos State, following consultations at his Enugu campaign office and visits to commercial hubs such as Alaba International Market, Chief Nnaji criticised the current tax regime in the state.
He alleged that arbitrary levies have forced business owners to relocate and left small-scale vendors in rural communities struggling to survive.
Chief Nnaji condemned the revenue collection methods currently deployed across the state, claiming that tax officials aggressively target small vendors and artisans even in rural areas.
He noted that traders in rural villages are forced to pay up to ₦36,000 in levies, an amount many do not generate annually, forcing some to open their shops only in the evening after tax officials have left.
Emphasizing that taxation should be based on actual profit rather than physical shop premises, he pledged an immediate restructuring of the revenue framework to eliminate multiple levies if elected.
To address these economic challenges, Nnaji announced the establishment of the Enugu State Recovery Committee, which he chairs, to consult with Enugu diaspora communities and articulate sustainable governance solutions.
Beyond tax reforms, his economic roadmap focuses on industrialisation by leveraging Enugu’s natural deposits of coal, iron ore, and cement, while aiming to create opportunities that will take over 50,000 youths off the streets.
Additionally, his team pledged support for traders displaced by recent market demolitions through free shop allocations and economic relief measures.
Reacting to the presentation, forum representative Chief Sunday Okonkwo affirmed that business stakeholders in the diaspora are aligning with Nnaji’s manifesto due to its focus on industrial growth, security, youth empowerment, and easing the cost of doing business in Enugu State.
Meanwhile, PDP chieftain and community leader Basil Ani expressed confidence in the party’s platform, maintaining that Enugu remains a stronghold for the PDP ahead of the 2027 polls.
