The National Opposition Movement (NOM) has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax law.
The call was made on Wednesday during a press conference at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where the group warned that the proposed tax regime could exacerbate poverty, widen inequality, and heighten social tension across the country.
Addressing journalists, NOM said Nigeria was already grappling with what it described as a “multidimensional crisis,” characterized by worsening insecurity, rising poverty levels, homelessness, food scarcity, and declining living standards.
According to the group, introducing an aggressive tax policy under such conditions would further burden citizens and small businesses struggling to survive.
NOM expressed concern that the proposed law would require all adults of taxable age, whether employed or unemployed to file annual tax returns between January 1 and March 31, 2026, with penalties for non-compliance.
The group also faulted provisions mandating business owners to file tax returns for all employees, including those earning below the taxable threshold.
Describing the policy as unrealistic, NOM argued that widespread unemployment, limited internet access, and weak institutional service delivery would make compliance difficult for millions of Nigerians.
The group warned that, if implemented, the tax regime could turn taxation into what it termed an “exploitative racket” targeting vulnerable citizens.
The opposition movement further alleged that the proposed tax plan would impose additional financial pressure on low-income earners, including Nigerians earning below the minimum wage, at a time when citizens are already contending with subsidy removals, rising electricity tariffs, high transportation costs, and escalating food prices.
NOM urged the Federal Government to reconsider the policy and prioritize economic reforms that would ease the burden on citizens.
