The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Enugu State has accused Governor Peter Mbah of imposing what it described as a “ruthless and inhuman tax regime” on residents of the state.
The opposition party also criticised the governor over the unveiling of a book documenting the projects and achievements of his administration, describing the event as a “campaign gimmick.”
The allegations were contained in a statement signed by Paul Anigbogu on behalf of the ADC Media Team to mark the commencement of the party’s campaign for the 2027 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.
The ADC said Mbah’s tax regime was unprecedented in the 35-year history of Enugu State, accusing the administration of imposing heavy financial burdens on residents already struggling with the impact of the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The party also accused the governor of embarking on massive demolitions in Enugu and Nsukka under the guise of urban renewal, alleging that the exercise destroyed businesses and livelihoods.
It specifically cited the demolition of Old Park in Enugu and Ogige Market in Nsukka, claiming that hundreds of traders were displaced.
The ADC further claimed that taxes, utility rates, business premises charges and property taxes were subsequently increased significantly, describing the policies as a burden on residents and businesses.
“Mbah’s government, rather than create wealth, created misery everywhere in Enugu State by imposing a heavy tax burden on the people who have been struggling since May 29, 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of the fuel subsidy in his inauguration speech.
“We have never seen a government like that of Mbah,” the party said.
On the governor’s unveiling of a book on his administration’s projects and milestones, the ADC questioned the need for such an exercise if the projects had significantly impacted residents.
“If he executed projects that impacted the lives of the people positively, there was no need for him to spend the limited resources of the state to advertise them in a book,” it said.
The party also accused Mbah of failing to fulfil his 2023 campaign promise to restore potable water supply in Enugu within 180 days of assuming office.
It noted that water remained scarce across the state more than three years into his administration.
The ADC further criticised some projects attributed to the governor, including smart schools, Type-3 hospitals and road projects, describing some of them as poorly executed.
“He unveiled nothing but failed projects,” the party said.
The opposition party also questioned the funds spent on the administration’s projects, alleging that more than N1 trillion in federal allocations and internally generated revenue had accrued to the state since Mbah assumed office in May 2023.
The ADC also raised questions over an alleged N5 billion contract for the smart school project, claiming that a contractor had left the project and returned about N1 billion.
“A good product markets itself. If the smart schools were successful, why are our children not studying there?” the party asked, demanding an explanation of the whereabouts of the balance of the funds.