Northern youths slam ‘altered’ tax laws, caution Tinubu against instigating constitutional crisis

Northern youths under the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) have rejected the newly enacted tax reform laws signed by President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the versions gazetted and released to the public differ from what was debated and passed by the National Assembly.

Describing the development as “governance by ambush,” the group warned that failure to address the discrepancies could trigger serious political and constitutional consequences.

In a statement issued Sunday in Kaduna, AYA Speaker Mohammed Salihu-Danlami said the rejection was based on what he described as disturbing divergences between the bills approved by lawmakers and the versions presented to Nigerians.

“If the law presented to the public is not the same law debated and passed by elected representatives, then democracy itself is being subverted,” Danlami said. “Legislation is not a private document; it represents the collective will of the people.”

The tax reforms, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, have been described by the Federal Government as the most extensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades, aiming to simplify compliance, broaden the tax base, eliminate overlapping taxes, and modernise revenue collection across federal, state, and local governments.

However, the bills faced resistance during National Assembly debates, particularly from northern lawmakers. Allegations intensified after House member Abdussamad Dasuki claimed that certain provisions in the gazetted laws were neither debated nor approved by legislators.

While the Presidency has dismissed claims of secret alterations and insisted the reforms will proceed, the controversy has drawn criticism from political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, both of whom called for a suspension pending clarification.

Danlami insisted the alleged discrepancies were not minor errors but amounted to a serious constitutional violation, warning of executive overreach and erosion of public trust.

“Reports indicate the National Assembly approved a framework after deliberation and amendment, yet the gazetted version allegedly contains provisions never sanctioned by the legislature. This is not a clerical mistake; it is a constitutional crisis,” he said.

The AYA rejected any tax regime imposed without transparency, especially amid rising inflation, insecurity, and economic hardship.

“Northern Nigeria already battles poverty, unemployment, and systemic neglect. Any tax policy that worsens these challenges without legitimacy amounts to economic hostility,” Danlami said.

The group called on civil society organisations, labour unions, the legal community, and principled legislators to intervene to defend constitutional governance.

Danlami also cautioned that the handling of the tax laws would influence future political outcomes, noting that governments undermining transparency “invite resistance and rejection at the ballot box.”