Yoruba Union Accuses Tinubu Government Of Forging Tax Laws To Push Nigerians Deeper Into Economic Hardship
A socio-cultural organisation, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has raised alarm over what it described as an alleged plan by the Bola Tinubu administration to use a “forged” tax law to seize Nigerians’ properties without judicial oversight.
The group warned that the development could trigger widespread hardship and worsen insecurity across the country from 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation accused the Tinubu-led government of altering a tax reform bill passed by the National Assembly and forwarding a different version for gazetting.
According to the group, the alleged alteration removes constitutional safeguards and empowers tax authorities to confiscate and sell citizens’ properties within 14 days of an alleged tax default, without obtaining a court order.
The statement was jointly signed by the group’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and released through its Home Director, Princess Balogun.
Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá described the alleged action as “anti-people” and “anti-business,” warning that it could push millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty and social instability.
The group said the controversy only came to public attention after Abdusammad Dasuki, a lawmaker from Sokoto State, reportedly exposed discrepancies between the version of the tax bill passed by lawmakers and the one gazetted by the executive.
“If not for the courage of Abdusammad Dasuki, Nigerians would never have known that the president allegedly altered the law as passed by the National Assembly and sent a different version for printing and gazetting at the National Archives,” the statement said.
“It is a monumental international embarrassment for the president of Africa’s most populous nation to be accused of forging a law that will affect the lives, livelihoods and properties of over 220 million people.”
The organisation maintained that lawmakers clearly stated during legislative deliberations that tax authorities must obtain a court order before seizing or selling any citizen’s assets over tax liabilities.
However, it alleged that this provision was deliberately removed in the version gazetted by the Tinubu administration.
“Lawmakers have publicly stated that a court order was mandatory before any asset seizure,” the statement noted.
“Yet the version released by the executive allegedly states that courts cannot review administrative decisions of tax offices regarding asset seizures. This is dangerous, unconstitutional and authoritarian.”
The group described the development as a direct assault on the rule of law, warning that unchecked administrative powers could lead to abuse, intimidation and politically motivated property seizures.
Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá further argued that the alleged tax provisions would cripple small and medium-sized enterprises already struggling with rising inflation, fuel price increases, currency devaluation and declining purchasing power.
“How can a government that has implemented policies making survival almost impossible now seek to seize people’s businesses and properties?” the group asked.
“Does the president expect crime not to rise when citizens are pushed to the wall and stripped of their means of survival?”
The organisation warned that arbitrary property seizures would result in job losses, business closures and a surge in social vices such as theft, armed robbery and other crimes.
“Crime inevitably rises where there is no enabling environment for citizens to survive,” the statement said. “This is not theory; it is reality.”
The group also questioned the moral justification for aggressive tax collection in a country where, according to it, citizens see little benefit from public revenue.
“Since this government has been collecting taxes, how many vulnerable Nigerians have benefited?” it queried.
“Basic amenities are largely absent. Millions of children remain out of school. Hundreds of schools and hospitals are dilapidated or non-functional. Health workers and teachers are poorly paid and demoralised.”
It further criticised Nigeria’s political elite for seeking medical treatment abroad with public funds while ordinary citizens endure a failing healthcare system.
“For the slightest headache, Nigerian politicians rush abroad for first-class treatment using taxpayers’ money, yet the same taxpayers are subjected to policies that push them closer to an early grave,” the statement said.
The union called on Nigerians across ethnic, religious and political lines to resist what it described as a dangerous and anti-people tax regime.
“Nigerians must stand up and resist this alleged forged tax law before it destroys lives and livelihoods,” the group said. “Silence now will amount to collective consent to oppression.”
Describing forgery as a serious criminal offence under Nigerian law, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged alteration of the tax legislation.
“Forgery is a grave crime in Nigeria,” the group said. “Those involved in forging this law must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. No one is above the law.”
While acknowledging presidential immunity, the organisation insisted that officials who allegedly carried out the act on behalf of the president should face immediate legal consequences.
“Immunity is not a licence for impunity,” it added. “And when President Tinubu eventually leaves office, he too must answer to the law if these allegations are proven. Justice must not be selective.”
