We Must Tax the Rich Mercilessly to Eradicate Poverty, Says Aregbesola

Ololade Adeyanju/

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has again advocated taxing the rich mercilessly to solve the problem of poverty in the country.

Aregbesola made his position known at the 70th birthday of former governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in Ibadan today.

He said tax from the rich could be used to create wealth to help the poor.

The minister said: “We must mercilessly tax the rich, if we are to cure the problem of poverty. We have two contending forces, the poor and the privileged rich.

“The rich have no problem, they are comfortable. The problem is the poor and they are in the majority. And the point is if the rich failed to address this problem, the comfort of the rich will be taken away, so they must release much of their money to help the poor.”

This is not the first time the former Osun State governor has canvassed same position.

While appearing before the senate for screening in July, Aregbesola had empahsised the need for the rich to pay heavy tax.