Group plotting protest over tax laws in disarray over ₦300m bribery allegation

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

An alleged N300 million bribery has thrown organisers of planned nationwide protest against Nigeria’s new Tax Laws into disarray.

A faction of the organisers of the protest scheduled for January 20, 2026 accused the group’s leadership of collecting a ₦300 million bribe to organise the protest with the aim of causing unrest across the country.

The faction led by one Mustapha Abdulahi, in a statement, also announced that it will no longer participate in the protest.

He also urged security agencies to arrest the organisers of the planned January 20 protest to prevent a breakdown of law and order and investigate the bribery claim.

Abdulahi accused the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC being responsible for the bribery while alleging that the protest has been hijacked for political purposes.

“The allegation of ₦300 million bribe has divided members of the group planning a protest against the Tax Reform Laws,” Abdulahi said.

“We have broken away from the group following the discovery that some members of the leadership have collected a bribe to the tune of ₦300 million. We hereby call on the EFCC to immediately investigate this matter.”

“We have uncovered, to our chagrin, that the leadership of the group is being influenced and sponsored by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the opposition coalition, with the sole purpose of causing public disorder and commotion,” he said.

He accused the opposition party of seeking to exploit public discontent over the tax reforms to ignite unrest and possibly force a regime change.

“We have it on good authority that the ADC, having been faced with the reality of making no significant impact in the 2027 general elections, sees this as an opportunity to create anarchy which could possibly lead to a regime change,” Abdulahi added. “On this note, we call on security agencies to arrest and prosecute the leader of the movement and his wingmen.”

Abdullahi said the initial support for the planned protest was out of concern for Nigerians grappling with economic hardship with fears especially following the commencement of the Tax Reform Laws on January 1, 2026.

“We initially embraced the struggle when the intention was purely to prevail on the government to have a rethink over the laws as they affect common Nigerians who are already being hit hard by the economic realities of the time,” Abdulahi said.

However, he said the group could no longer be associated with the protest after discovering it had become “a money-spinning venture and a platform for political patronage.”

“Now that some of our members have turned it into a money-spinning venture and political patronage, we have backed out and reiterate our call on the EFCC and security agencies to investigate and prosecute those involved for bribery and plans to cause violence,” he stated.

The faction therefore said has withdrawn from the protest as a demonstration for calm and responsible civic engagement.

“Our withdrawal from the protest is a call for unity, maturity and patriotism. Nigeria’s economic recovery requires collective sacrifice and responsible civic action.”

Risk association seeks compliance with tax laws

Meanwhile, the Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP) has urged Nigerians to work together to ensure the success of the new tax laws, which its implementation began on Thursday, Jan. 1.

The Director-General of AERMP, Dr Olayinka Odutola noted that the laws were designed for the benefit of all citizens and required collective support to achieve their objectives.

“The law is for the benefit of everybody. All hands must be on deck to make it work,” Odutola said.

He noted that developed economies thrive largely on citizens’ compliance with tax laws, stressing that Nigeria must adopt a similar culture to drive sustainable growth.

Odutola said opposition to the new tax laws was being driven mainly by members of the elite and political class who fear being captured under an expanded tax net.

He added that only about 10 million Nigerians currently pay taxes out of an estimated population of 200 million.

“We cannot continue like this. Everybody should embrace the tax laws, and compliance is important,” he said.

He cautioned against expecting perfection at the early stage of implementation, urging Nigerians to support the policy and contribute to its success.

“We should not be looking at perfection. This tax policy is something we should encourage.

“Everybody has a role to play one way or the other in the implementation of this tax law,” he said.

Odutola, a chartered risk expert, said some regions had grown accustomed to not paying taxes, a practice he described as unhealthy for balanced national development.

The accountant noted that the association would intensify advocacy to educate Nigerians on the importance of civic responsibility through voluntary tax compliance.

Commenting on controversies over alleged discrepancies between the gazetted version of the law and that passed by the National Assembly, Odutola said the issue was being politicised and exaggerated.

According to him, stakeholders can address grey areas after implementation rather than attempt to halt the law.

He said the reforms had removed the tax burden from the poor, explaining that this would promote economic prosperity while helping to reduce insecurity, crime and criminality.

Odutola appealed to the media to support public awareness, saying they had a responsibility to promote the tax policy in the interest of national development.

“We need to move Nigeria forward aggressively,” he said. (NAN)