Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), John Odior, has urged Nigerians to make payment of taxes a priority over financial donations to religious leaders and institutions.
Odior, who spoke during a radio programme in Benin City weekend, said he had nothing against tithes, offerings or other forms of religious giving, but added that tax payment remained a civic responsibility that citizens must not neglect.
He stated that Nigerians should recognise taxation as a statutory obligation that contributes directly to the ability of the government to provide infrastructure and essential services.
He expressed concern that some citizens were more willing to make financial contributions to their general overseers and other religious leaders than fulfill their tax obligations to the government.
“People prefer to give to ‘Daddy G.O.s’ and others rather than pay taxes. I am not against giving to Daddy G.O.s; what I am saying is that people should see tax as a priority,” he said.
The EIRS boss linked tax compliance to effective governance, stating that the government depended substantially on internally generated revenue and other taxes to fund public projects, pay workers’ salaries and provide services to the people.
Odior argued that residents who deliberately evade their tax obligations would have little moral justification to demand accountability “If you are not paying taxes, you don’t have the moral ground to ask government questions,” he stated.
He further stated that the revenue service would continue to examine financial transactions to identify applicable tax obligations and prevent leakages in government revenue.
He urged residents to view tax payment not merely as a government demand but as a civic responsibility necessary for sustaining public services and promoting accountability in governance.
