The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the repressive decision by the federal government that imposed N5000 fee for renewal and replacement of the national identity cards.
The party has however described the decision as not just irrational but insupportable, reprehensible and very offensive to the sensibilities of Nigerians.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, Wednesday, the PDP said imposing such levy on Nigerians will “amount to wicked fleecing and stripping of the constitutional rights of Nigerians in their own nation.”
“Our party holds that issuance of national identity card to citizens, as an obligation of the state to its citizenry, must remain free as established by the PDP. The N5000 levy must be immediately rescinded before it triggers restiveness in the nation.
“Already, the fee is generating tension in the country as Nigerians have continued to register their rejection in the public space.
“The PDP notes the increasing penchant of the APC administration to impose all sorts of taxes on suffering Nigerians. Only recently, the Buhari-led APC administration increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services from 5 percent to 7.5 percent. This is in addition to increase in tariffs for electricity and other services as well as the obnoxious decision to return the tollgates on our major highways,” it said.
According to the opposition party, the levy will not just breed resentment but erode the much-desired patriotism and would lead to the escalation of social vices by the citizenry.
However, the PDP has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately direct the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to rescind the decision.
Solomon Ayado, Abuja
