The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has rejected the newly enacted tax reform laws signed by President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the versions gazetted and released to the public differ from those passed by the National Assembly.
The group described the development as “governance by ambush” and warned that the controversy could have serious political consequences if not urgently addressed.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mohammed Salihu-Danlami, said the rejection followed what he described as disturbing discrepancies between the laws debated and 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. Legislation is not a private document; it is the collective will of the people,” Danlami said.
The tax reform laws, which are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, were recently signed by President Tinubu and have been described by the Federal Government as the most comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades. According to the Presidency, the reforms are intended to simplify tax compliance, expand the tax base, eliminate multiple taxation, and modernise revenue collection across the federal, state and local governments.
However, the bills faced strong opposition during deliberations at the National Assembly, particularly from some lawmakers from the northern part of the country.
The controversy deepened following allegations by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, who claimed that certain provisions contained in the gazetted laws were neither debated nor approved by the legislature. The Presidency has dismissed the claims, insisting that no secret alterations were made and that the implementation of the laws would proceed despite opposition.
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The reforms have also attracted criticism from prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, both of whom have called for the suspension of implementation pending clarification of the disputed provisions.
Danlami described the alleged discrepancies as a serious constitutional matter rather than minor errors, warning of executive overreach and erosion of public trust. He said reports indicated that the National Assembly approved a specific framework after deliberation and amendment, while the gazetted version allegedly contained provisions not sanctioned by lawmakers.
The AYA said it opposed any tax regime imposed without transparency, particularly at a time when Nigerians were grappling with inflation, insecurity and economic hardship. Danlami added that northern Nigeria was already burdened by poverty, unemployment and systemic neglect, warning that any tax policy lacking legitimacy could worsen the region’s challenges.
The group called on civil society organisations, labour unions, the legal community and what it described as principled legislators to intervene to protect constitutional governance. Danlami also warned that the handling of the tax laws could influence future political outcomes and directed the Assembly’s structures at zonal, state, local government and ward levels to remain on standby for further directives.