In a staunch rebuttal, Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Ohanenye, disavowed the notion that she advocated for women to be exempt from paying taxes in Nigeria. The dismissal came in response to reports aired on Arise TV’s “Morning Show,” as conveyed by her Special Assistant on Media, Ohaeri Joseph, in a statement from Abuja.
“The attention of the Ministry has been drawn to some false reports on the ‘Morning Show’ segment of Arise TV, insinuating that the Minister advocated for women not to pay tax in Nigeria,” the statement conveyed. “We wish to state categorically clear that the Minister did not canvass for women not to pay tax.”
Emphasizing Ohanenye’s adherence to the law, the statement underscored her firm belief in equality regarding tax payment, asserting the civic responsibility of both men and women in the country.
Addressing a recent event, the Women, Peace, and Security Reference Group fourth annual forum 2023, the minister had sought exemptions for women under the Pink Riders scheme from harassment by task force operators at motor parks.
The statement further cautioned against what it perceived as ARISE TV’s “incessant and malicious reportage,” urging them to refrain from making comments that could sow confusion and chaos in the country. It concluded by firmly stating that the insinuations were “totally wrong and misrepresent what the Honourable Minister said at the event.”
