Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has strongly refuted allegations she advocated for women not to pay taxes, calling the statements a “false report.”
The minister categorically denied ever calling for Nigerian women to be exempt from paying taxes, affirming that tax payment responsibility does not have a gender barrier.
In a statement by her special assistant media, Ohaeri Osondu Joseph, the minister said the statements in question were made during an event organised by the ministry to address issues of peace and security for women in Nigeria.
Commenting on new empowerment initiatives for women like mechanised farming and the “Pink Riders” tricycle transport scheme, the minister had appealed to security forces to protect the women participating.
Her exact words were: “I am begging the Army, task force in motor park and Police, when my women, my Pink Riders start their Keke across the nation, leave them alone, just secure them for me, just give them security.”
He said Arise TV took these comments out of context, failing to show the video that would have demonstrated she was only asking for security assistance and not exempting women from taxes or any other civic duties.
He said, “We wish to state categorically clear that the Minister did not canvass for women not to pay tax because as a law-abiding citizen and a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project, she strongly embraces the fact that there is no gender barrier for tax payment which is the civic responsibility of both men and women in the country.
“To further buttress the misrepresentation of the Minister’s speech at the event, the Arise TV segment did not complement the visuals with a track up of the Minister’s presentation at the program which was organised by the Ministry to address peace and security of women in Nigeria.”
He warned the media organisation to refrain from malicious reporting that could sow confusion and discord.
He reiterated that the Minister is committed to furthering women’s empowerment and equality in line with the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.
