Public commentator Zekeri Idris has criticized Nigeria’s electoral process, questioning the country’s tax system under President Bola Tinubu.
In a video clip from the Honest Bunch podcast, Idris expressed frustration over what he described as inconsistencies in governance.
Electronic tax without electronic election
He argued that while the government is able to electronically collect taxes from citizens, it has struggled to ensure seamless electronic transmission of election results.
Sharing a personal example, he recounted paying consumption tax on drinks at a Lagos bar, using it to illustrate his broader concern about taxation and economic pressure on citizens.
Idris expresses his stance on taxes
He maintained that his opposition to certain tax policies is not about rejecting taxation entirely, but about accountability and efficiency in governance.
Idris also reiterated his support for Peter Obi, stating that he sees Obi as representing a vision of a “new Nigeria.” However, he acknowledged that no political figure is perfect.
His words in part …
“The matter is clear. And you know why this thing vexed me? Let me just tell you why I’m very angry. I spoke vehemently against the new tax policy. Not because taxes is bad. I’ve always said it. Taxes is feeding the goose that lays the golden egg. The problem with this Nigerian goose, especially this Bola Tinubu goose, is that this goose eats too much. This goose is f@t. This goose is inefficient. This goose lays no eggs. So you are a goose that lays no eggs and you want to keep eating by way of taxes. Yesterday as I entered Lagos for this program, I go one place, one bar where they near that river, close to Eko Link Bridge there. I go sit down there, I drink two b£er. And they say one b£er now 5,500, two come be 11,000. You know how much I pay as tax? 850 Naira for drinking b£er. It’s boldly written. This is your amount. This is the tax you pay on the amount for this same Eko. And then you can electronically collect my tax. You’re not a negotiator with me, but you cannot electronically transfer election results. We haven’t been talking about that Obi win here, Obi no win. I support Obi. I will likely support him again. Not because it’s a saint. Saints don’t exist on earth. But Obi to me represents the face of the Nigeria that we are looking forward to. The new Nigeria that is possible. All right? Tinubu has had his time. He has done his own democracy. We have seen the best he can do. We have seen his economic reforms that is ch0king the living. They say we should be patient, but four years don’t pass. Now, so go patient. Eight years go by. Na so Buhari ask us to be patient. So, in all of this, If you just say, okay, let’s have free and fair election.”
Watch video below …