By Queen Kunde
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lacks both the authority and the constitutional standing to pronounce Nigeria’s new tax laws a nullity.
The group said Atiku’s call for the suspension of the January 1, 2026 commencement date of the tax reforms over alleged post-passage alterations to the Acts was misplaced and legally untenable.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG stressed that only the National Assembly has the power to scrutinise the laws, investigate the allegations and determine any corrective action.
According to the group, Atiku has consistently opposed the tax reforms since President Bola Tinubu forwarded four tax reform bills to the National Assembly in 2024 to modernise what it described as Nigeria’s outdated and widely criticised tax regime.
TMSG recalled that the former Vice President had previously aligned with critics who claimed that aspects of the proposed laws were unfavourable to Northern Nigeria, while also lobbying lawmakers to adopt the National Economic Council’s earlier recommendation for withdrawal of the bills over a Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing dispute.
“It is therefore not surprising that Atiku has once again inserted himself into the controversy surrounding the tax reforms, ostensibly to position himself as the face of opposition,” the statement said.
The group maintained that Atiku had no legal basis to demand a halt to the implementation of laws already passed by the National Assembly and signed into law, especially while lawmakers were still examining claims of alterations.
TMSG alleged that the push for suspension was aimed at undermining reforms it said would boost President Tinubu’s standing, noting that Nigerians are expected to benefit from over 50 tax reliefs beginning January 2026.
The group also dismissed what it described as “false narratives” surrounding the reforms, including claims related to tax identification, VAT and bank account monitoring, which it said had already been clarified by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Reaffirming its support for the President, TMSG said there should be “no going back” on the implementation of the tax reforms, describing them as the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades.
The reforms, it added, are designed to simplify tax administration, eliminate multiple levies and improve revenue generation without placing additional burdens on Nigerians.
TMSG, however, urged the National Assembly to complete its work by re-gazetting the tax Acts in their correct form and making clean copies available to the public, should the allegations of alterations prove to be valid.
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