Arewa Will Not Pay Tinubu’s Tax, We Dare Anyone to Force Us — Sheikh Alkali Zaria
A prominent Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, Sheikh Abubakar Alkali Zaria, has declared that residents of northern Nigeria will resist the implementation of the newly signed tax reforms slated to take effect on January 1, 2026.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the cleric openly warned that lawmakers from the region who supported the controversial reforms would face consequences upon their return home. PulseNets learnt that the remarks were made amid growing public anger over the new fiscal measures.
“We are waiting to see who will come and make us pay these taxes,” Sheikh Alkali stated in the footage. “By Allah, I am saying this clearly and loudly: any senator or member of the House of Representatives who supports this new tax law will be dealt with once you return home.”
Speaking further, the cleric referenced the removal of fuel subsidy, which he argued had brought no tangible relief to ordinary Nigerians. According to him, the tax reforms contradict the core principles of democracy and the mandate given to elected representatives by the people.
“We are watching to see who will pass this tax reform law. We sent you there to represent us. Democracy is meant to be for the people, by the people, and to the people,” he said.
In a more direct warning to federal lawmakers, Sheikh Alkali added: “To the senators and House members, I congratulate you in advance because you will be beaten. When they removed fuel subsidy, whose father did it help? We have no issue with anyone except those who signed this tax reform into law.”
PulseNets reported that President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms have continued to generate intense controversy nationwide, particularly after Abdussamad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives from Sokoto State, raised concerns over alleged discrepancies between the version of the tax reforms passed by the National Assembly and the version eventually signed into law.
Following the allegations, several prominent Nigerians — including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Borno South Senator Ali Ndume — publicly called on President Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the reforms pending a full investigation into the alleged alterations. Others went further, demanding the president’s impeachment over the matter.
In what appeared to validate Mr Dasuki’s claims, the National Assembly on Friday ordered a re-gazetting of the assented tax laws, citing unapproved changes and the need to align the documents with the version harmonised and passed by lawmakers.
Also Read: Ali Ndume Urges Tinubu to Suspend New Tax Laws Over Alleged Alterations
Despite the backlash, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, maintained that the federal government would proceed with implementation as scheduled. He told PulseNets that the administration remains confident in the reforms.
“The plan to commence the new law, including the two remaining tax laws, on January 1, 2026, will proceed as planned,” Mr Oyedele said on Friday. “These reforms are intended to provide relief to the Nigerian people, and we are staying the course.”
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