Northern Cleric Vows Defiance: “Arewa Will Never Pay Tinubu’s Tax – We’re Waiting for Anyone to Force Us”

By Emmanuel Kwada 

Kaduna-based prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Alkali Zaria, has ignited fresh controversy by declaring that northerners will refuse to comply with President Bola Tinubu’s newly signed tax reforms, set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

In a widely circulated video, the cleric issued a stern warning, stating, “Arewa will never pay Tinubu’s tax. We are waiting to see who will come and make us pay these taxes.”

He threatened severe consequences for northern lawmakers who supported the reforms, saying, “Any senator or member of the House of Representatives supporting this new tax law will be dealt with once you are back home.”

Sheikh Alkali criticised the reforms as undemocratic, arguing they contradict the people’s will. Drawing parallels to the fuel subsidy removal, which he claimed benefited no ordinary Nigerians, he remarked, “When they say they removed subsidy, whose father did it help? We don’t have any problem with anybody except those who signed that tax reform into law.”

The outburst comes amid ongoing national debate over the four tax reform laws—Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2025, and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025—signed by President Tinubu in June 2025.

Controversy escalated after Sokoto lawmaker Abdussamad Dasuki alleged discrepancies between the versions passed by the National Assembly and those gazetted.

Critics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Ali Ndume, have called for suspension pending investigation, with some demanding the President’s impeachment.

On December 26, 2025, the National Assembly ordered the re-gazetting of the laws to align with the harmonised versions passed by lawmakers, while initiating an internal review.

Despite the backlash, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, reaffirmed on December 26 that implementation will proceed as planned.

“The reforms are designed to provide relief to the Nigerian people,” he stated after briefing President Tinubu, emphasising benefits like tax exemptions for low-income earners and small businesses.

The government insists the reforms will simplify taxation, boost compliance, and drive economic growth, but northern opposition highlights deep regional divisions over perceived inequities.