A prominent Islamic cleric based in Kaduna State, Sheikh Abubakar Alkali Zaria, has declared that residents of northern Nigeria will not comply with the newly approved tax reforms scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
In a video circulating on social media, the cleric criticised the tax laws, describing them as inconsistent with the will of the people and democratic principles. He warned that northern lawmakers who supported the reforms would face backlash from their constituents upon returning home.
“We are waiting to see who will come and force us to pay these taxes,” Alkali said in the video. “Those who were sent to represent us but supported this law will have to answer to the people.”
Alkali also referenced the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy did not improve the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, and accused the government of imposing economic decisions without adequate public consent.
Controversy has continued to trail President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms following claims by Abdussamad Dasuki, a House of Representatives member from Sokoto State, that discrepancies existed between the version of the tax bills passed by lawmakers and the copies later signed into law.
Several political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Borno South Senator Ali Ndume, have called on President Tinubu to suspend implementation of the reforms pending the outcome of investigations into the alleged alterations.
In response, the National Assembly on Friday directed that the tax laws be re-gazetted to correct unapproved changes and align them with the versions harmonised and passed by lawmakers.
Despite the backlash, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said the Federal Government would proceed with the implementation of the reforms as scheduled.
“The plan to commence the new tax laws on January 1, 2026, remains unchanged,” Oyedele said, adding that the reforms were designed to provide economic relief and strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
