Atiku Has No Powers to Void Tax Laws, Says Tinubu Media Support Group By Raymond Enoch
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s call for the suspension of the newly enacted tax laws, insisting that he lacks the constitutional authority to declare the reforms a nullity.
Reacting to Atiku’s demand for a halt to the January 1, 2026 commencement date of the tax laws over alleged post-passage alterations, the pro-Tinubu group maintained that only the National Assembly has the legal mandate to scrutinise such claims and determine the appropriate course of action.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG described Atiku’s intervention as a political move aimed at undermining reforms that are expected to deliver wide-ranging tax reliefs to Nigerians.
According to the group, Atiku has consistently opposed the tax reforms since the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly in 2024 to overhaul what it described as Nigeria’s outdated and widely criticised tax system.
“It is on record that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar never concealed his opposition to the tax reforms,” the statement said. “He aligned with interests that claimed some provisions of the bills were unfavourable to Northern Nigeria and lobbied lawmakers to follow the National Economic Council’s earlier recommendation for withdrawal of the bills over a VAT-sharing dispute.”
TMSG argued that while President Tinubu remained focused on engaging the National Assembly to fine-tune the bills through legislative amendments, Atiku chose to politicise the process and has now re-emerged, seeking to project himself as the leading voice of the opposition.
The group stressed that Atiku is neither in office nor vested with any constitutional role that empowers him to suspend or nullify duly passed laws, particularly ahead of investigations by the federal legislature into the allegations of alterations.
“By pushing for a suspension even before lawmakers conclude their review, Atiku and his supporters are attempting to stall reforms that would significantly enhance President Tinubu’s standing among Nigerians, especially as over 50 tax reliefs are expected to take effect from January 2026,” the statement added.
TMSG also referenced what it described as a wave of misinformation surrounding the reforms, including claims relating to tax identification, Value Added Tax (VAT), and bank account monitoring—issues that have already been addressed through official clarifications by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Reaffirming its support for the Presidency, the group endorsed President Tinubu’s stance that there would be no reversal of the implementation timeline for the tax reforms.
“We oppose any attempt by elements who have never seen anything positive in this administration to derail these reforms,” TMSG said. “This is the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades, aimed at simplifying tax administration, reducing multiple levies, and improving revenue generation without overburdening citizens who have endured years of nuisance taxes.”
The group, however, urged the National Assembly to conclude its oversight role by re-gazetting the tax laws in their correct form and making clean copies available to the public should the allegations of alterations be established.
