The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has dismissed calls by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the suspension of the new tax laws, insisting that he neither has the authority nor the constitutional standing to declare the Acts a nullity.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said Atiku’s demand that the January 1, 2026 commencement date of the tax reforms be suspended over alleged alterations to some provisions was legally unfounded.
TMSG stressed that only the National Assembly is empowered to review, investigate and determine any claims of post-legislative alterations to laws already passed.
The group noted that Atiku has consistently opposed the tax reforms since the administration of President Bola Tinubu submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly in 2024, aimed at modernising Nigeria’s outdated tax system.
“It is a fact that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has never hidden his opposition to the tax reforms,” the statement said. “He previously aligned with elements who alleged that some provisions of the bills were skewed against Northern Nigeria, even as the President remained focused on ensuring that the National Assembly amended and strengthened the laws.”
TMSG recalled that during debates over VAT sharing, Atiku had lobbied lawmakers to adopt the recommendation of the National Economic Council (NEC), which at the time suggested withdrawing the bills for broader consultation.
According to the group, Atiku’s renewed intervention in the tax reform debate is a political move aimed at positioning himself as the leading voice of opposition.
“It is therefore not surprising that he has again inserted himself into the middle of another controversy surrounding the tax reforms,” the statement said.
The group argued that by calling for suspension of the reforms even before the conclusion of investigations by federal lawmakers, Atiku and his supporters were attempting to derail policies that would enhance President Tinubu’s profile, particularly as Nigerians are expected to benefit from over 50 tax reliefs beginning January 2026.
TMSG also referenced what it described as several false narratives surrounding the reforms, including claims related to tax identification, Value Added Tax (VAT), and bank account monitoring, which it said had prompted clarifications from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in recent weeks.
Reaffirming its support for the President’s stance, the group said there should be no reversal on the implementation of the reforms.
“We are fully in support of the position of the President that there is no going back on the implementation of the tax reforms,” TMSG said, describing the initiative as the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades.
The group added that the reforms are designed to simplify tax administration, reduce multiple levies and improve revenue generation without overburdening Nigerians.
TMSG 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 be found to be true.
