By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025, election in Anambra State, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, has vowed to end what he described as a reign of extortion, intimidation, and bloodshed perpetrated in the name of taxation under Governor Charles Soludo’s administration.
Addressing over 2,000 members of the Anambra Elite Traders Forum during a solidarity visit to his campaign office in Awka on Thursday, Ukachukwu stated that his government would abolish the current revenue collection regime, which he described as “a machinery of terror against traders, transporters, and small business owners.”
“The days of multiple armed touts brutalising our people and seizing their goods will end. The notorious groups, Akaodo, SASA, ASTA, and others, will have no place in a civilised government under my watch. No more touts, no more tears,” he declared to loud applause.
The APC flagbearer lamented the daily harassment of traders and transporters by government-backed agents who, he said, have turned markets and roadsides into crime scenes.
“People are beaten, maimed, even killed over levies they don’t understand. Lives are being wasted in the name of tax collection. This is not governance—it is tyranny,” Ukachukwu said.
He accused the Soludo administration of failing to protect citizens and traders from systemic abuse, adding that his own government would restore justice, fairness, and human dignity to the State’s revenue system.
“Taxation should build society, not destroy lives. Under my leadership, it will be fair, transparent, and humane. We will replace extortion with accountability, and replace fear with confidence,” he promised.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Onyebuchi Onwuteaka of the Anambra Elite Traders Forum said they were wary of the “state-sponsored terror” that has crippled business in the State.
“We are tired of intimidation. These so-called revenue agents, armed with government protection, beat up traders, seize goods, and destroy livelihoods. We need a leader who will end this oppression,” he said.
The traders, drawn from all 21 local government areas of the State, pledged to mobilise support for Ukachukwu’s candidacy, describing him as “a man who understands the pains of ordinary Anambra people.”
Shifting focus to his development agenda, Ukachukwu unveiled plans to modernise Anambra’s economy through mechanised agriculture, youth empowerment, and trader-friendly cooperatives.
He also promised to set up cooperatives in all significant markets to enable traders to access loans and grants.
