Anambra Govt Fires Back at Obi: You Lied—SABMiller Not State’s Top Taxpayer
Peter Obi and SABMiller logo
The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has refuted claims by former governor Mr. Peter Obi that SABMiller Breweries is the highest corporate taxpayer in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday, AIRS described Obi’s assertion as “misleading and false,” stating that SABMiller ranks only sixth among corporate tax contributors in Anambra.
The clarification followed Obi’s remarks made during a rally held last Friday at All Saints Cathedral Field, Onitsha. The event marked the official flag-off of the Labour Party campaign for the November 8, 2025, governorship election, where Dr. George Moghalu and his running mate were formally presented.
Speaking at the rally, Obi said:“You can assess yourselves. Governance for me is about compassion and empathy caring for the lowly and petty traders. It is not these same poor masses you tax. Instead, ensure they can feed well and go to school.I governed Anambra State and I don’t boast of things I didn’t do. My record is verifiable.”
However, AIRS pushed back strongly, saying that Obi’s comments misrepresent the current tax realities in Anambra.
The agency published tax data for 2023 and 2024 showing that SABMiller paid a total of ₦656.5 million over the two years placing the company in sixth position, far behind the top contributors.
According to the breakdown, SABMiller averaged ₦28 million per month in tax payments in 2023 and ₦26.62 million in 2024. By contrast, Fidelity Bank Plc was identified as the highest corporate taxpayer in the state during the same period.
“This level of contribution cannot support the claim that SABMiller is the top taxpayer,” the statement read.
AIRS emphasized that its clarification was aimed at providing “undiluted information” to the public and correcting the record on Obi’s statements.
The agency also highlighted the significant growth in Anambra’s internally generated revenue (IGR) under the current administration.
Monthly tax collections, AIRS noted, have risen steadily from an earlier average range of ₦1.5 billion to ₦2.08 billion to a new average of ₦4 billion per month. In May 2025, the state recorded an all-time high of ₦10.5 billion.
“The attention of the Service has been drawn to claims in the public domain suggesting that SABMiller Breweries is the highest taxpayer in the state,”“For the avoidance of doubt, while the Service has made monumental progress in improving IGR, a double-check of data from the past two years including tax collections from SABMiller (excluding federal institutions which also contribute significantly through PAYE)—places SABMiller in sixth position.”AIRS said.
AIRS stated that the brewery’s average monthly tax payments, while appreciated, fall far below those of top contributors like Fidelity Bank Plc.
The agency reiterated its commitment to transparency and urged public figures to verify data before making public claims.
