The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has berated former President Olusegun Obasanjo for being amongst the Tax evaders that top the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) list.
Recall that the FIRS listed among others Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited, a company owned by the former president amongst tax defaulters.
Consequently, in a statement issued on Thursday by, Niyi Akinsiji, the president Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) said it was a shame that someone who considers himself as the father of modern Nigeria and also someone whom Nigeria has made them everything could be a tax evader.
The organization further stated that it wasn’t just about writing a letter to the president Buhari about the state of the Nation, it is also important to pay tax as when due.
The statement partly reads, “It is surprising that a company owned by a former President who sees himself as the father of modern Nigeria to be amongst the list of companies that does not want to pay tax.
The statement added, “We also consider it a thing of shame for General Obasanjo not to pay taxes as at when due, especially as he is known to preach either at public gathering or through open letters against societal ills which tax evasion should be considered as one. Aside from launching scornful attacks against all sitting Presidents after him, he never sees anything good from any sitting president when he does not take orders from him.
The group opined that it is a good thing for the former president to always draw the attention of leaders to societal ills; however, it will be hypocritical for him not to pay his company taxes as it is an act of patriotism. Our message to former President Obasanjo is: Keep writing open letters to Nigerians but do not forget to pay your taxes,” the BMO said.
The comments by BMO comes day’s after Obasanjo described himself as ‘an incurable optimist,’ while calling on Nigerian youths to keep the faith and not loose hope despite the many challenges the country is facing.
The former President made the call while addressing some youths and students from select schools in the State at a Youths Governance Dialogue organized by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
