Northern youths under the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) have formally rejected the recently signed tax reform laws, claiming that the versions gazetted for public circulation differ from those debated and passed by the National Assembly.
In a statement released Sunday in Kaduna, AYA Speaker Mohammed Salihu-Danlami described the development as “governance by ambush” and warned that ignoring the controversy could spark serious political and constitutional repercussions.
“If the law presented to the public is not identical to the version debated and approved by elected representatives, then democracy itself is being undermined,” Danlami said. “Legislation is not a private document, it reflects 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 comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades. They aim to simplify compliance, broaden the tax base, eliminate overlapping taxes, and modernise revenue collection across federal, state, and local governments.
Despite this, the bills faced stiff resistance in the National Assembly, particularly from lawmakers representing northern constituencies. Allegations intensified after House member Abdussamad Dasuki claimed that certain provisions in the gazetted laws were never debated or approved.
While the Presidency has dismissed claims of secret alterations and vowed to implement the reforms, prominent figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi have called for a suspension of the laws pending clarification.
Danlami said the alleged discrepancies go beyond clerical errors, warning of executive overreach and erosion of public trust.
“Reports show that the National Assembly approved a framework after thorough deliberation and amendment, yet the gazetted version allegedly contains provisions never sanctioned by legislators. This is not a technical error; it is a constitutional crisis,” he said.
The AYA condemned any tax policy implemented without transparency, especially at a time of soaring inflation, insecurity, and economic hardship.
“Northern Nigeria already struggles with poverty, unemployment, and systemic neglect. Any tax policy that exacerbates these challenges without legitimacy amounts to economic hostility,” Danlami said.
The group urged civil society organisations, labour unions, the legal community, and principled lawmakers to intervene in defence of constitutional governance.
Danlami also cautioned that the handling of the tax reforms would shape political outcomes, emphasizing that governments that undermine transparency “invite resistance and rejection at the ballot box.”
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