Ekiti state Governor Ayodele Fayose allegedly ordered the closure of two banks located within Ado-Ekiti metropolis while enforcing a new tax regime, the All Progressives Congress, APC, said.The party said that “The task force men working with some thugs refused the business owners along Bank Road to take the keys to their homes, cash, cheque books, passbooks and other documents as they were locked inside, which resulted in Igbo traders that drive the economy of the state to stage a protest”.
Wasiu Olatunbosun, Ekiti APC spokesman, said the imposition of the new tax system is ‘outrageous and exploitative’, will shut down businesses, scare investors, and result in economic woes for the state. The APC said “the prevailing economic situation in the country doesn’t support high taxes. Locking out traders, shop and business owners without allowing them opportunity to remove their valuables is most degrading, wicked, ungodly and inhuman”.
“Increasing taxes on individuals and businesses by almost 500 per cent in breach of the agreement with the local business operators in a place like Ekiti would kill the economy that is already weak. The forcible closure of business centres has deprived many Ekiti residents of their means of livelihood while harsh economic policies introduced by the governor has forced many hotels out of business, as hospitality business in the state is now on life support awaiting its final death”, APC said.
