The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has openly rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly introduced tax laws, raising concerns over alleged discrepancies between the version passed by the National Assembly and the one eventually gazetted by the federal government.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, the youth group accused the government of altering key provisions of the legislation, thereby undermining the integrity of the democratic process. According to the AYA, the gazetted version of the tax laws contains clauses that were neither debated nor approved by lawmakers during plenary sessions.
The group argued that such alterations not only erode public trust in governance but also place an unfair burden on ordinary Nigerians, particularly those in the northern region who are already grappling with economic hardship. They insisted that the new tax regime would worsen poverty levels and stifle small-scale businesses.
AYA spokesperson, Aliyu Mohammed, emphasized that the youth constituency in the North would not remain silent while policies detrimental to their future are imposed. He noted that the assembly had carefully reviewed both versions of the tax law and found “glaring inconsistencies” that suggest deliberate manipulation.
The statement further accused certain government officials of attempting to use taxation as a tool of exploitation rather than development. “We cannot allow a situation where laws are secretly altered to favor a few elites while millions of Nigerians suffer,” Mohammed declared.
The youth group also called on the National Assembly to immediately investigate the alleged discrepancies and hold accountable those responsible for the alterations. They warned that failure to address the issue could lead to widespread protests across northern states.
Economic analysts have also weighed in, noting that taxation is a sensitive issue in Nigeria, where citizens often complain of poor service delivery despite heavy levies. The alleged alterations, if proven true, could deepen the perception of government insensitivity and corruption.
Civil society organizations in the North have begun to rally behind the Arewa Youth Assembly, with some promising to mobilize grassroots campaigns against the implementation of the new tax laws. They argue that transparency and accountability must be prioritized in fiscal policy.
Meanwhile, the federal government has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, sources within the Ministry of Finance hinted that the discrepancies may have arisen from “technical adjustments” during the gazetting process, a claim critics dismiss as inadequate.
The controversy underscores the growing tension between the government and youth groups in Nigeria, particularly in the North, where unemployment and inflation have fueled discontent. Observers warn that unless the matter is resolved swiftly, it could escalate into a broader political crisis.
