Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of delaying the enforcement of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws because of fears that their implementation could undermine the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s chances in the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso made the allegation while addressing supporters at the inauguration of the NDC Campaign Council in Jigawa State, held in Dutse, the state capital.
The former Kano State governor claimed that although the tax reform bills had been passed into law, the Federal Government was reluctant to commence or fully enforce the collection provisions because of the possible political consequences ahead of the next general election.
“The bill has been passed into law, but the Federal Government is now afraid of losing the election. That is why it has delayed the collection,” Kwankwaso said.
He argued that the administration’s approach to the tax reforms was influenced by electoral considerations, warning that Nigerians could face more aggressive tax enforcement if the APC secures another term in office.
“As soon as they get a second chance, God forbid, Nigerians will suffer from different kinds of tax collection. They will start going from house to house, checking even under your bed to collect taxes,” he added.
Kwankwaso also questioned the role of lawmakers from Kano State in the legislative process that produced the tax reforms.
He alleged that the session during which the legislation was considered was chaired by a Kano lawmaker, while the Senate President deliberately stayed away because he did not want to be associated with the process.
“The worst part of it is that the session for the approval of the tax bill was chaired by one of us from Kano. Even the Senate President intentionally refused to attend because he did not want to be part of it,” Kwankwaso alleged.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate used the occasion to present his party as an alternative to the APC, promising that an NDC administration would review and abolish taxes it considers unnecessary.
He also pledged that the party would prioritise education and introduce measures to support families with the cost of educating their children.
“NDC is there for Nigerians. When you give us your mandate, we will cancel all such unnecessary taxes, we will provide quality education and sponsor your child’s education,” he said.
Kwankwaso urged Nigerians not to give the APC another electoral mandate in 2027, arguing that its continued stay in power would put the country’s future at risk.
His comments come amid continuing public debate over Nigeria’s tax reforms, which the Federal Government has defended as part of efforts to restructure the country’s tax system, improve revenue generation, simplify tax administration and reduce multiple taxation.
The Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, form part of the new tax framework, alongside other legislation establishing the revised institutional and administrative structure. The Federal Government announced January 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the new tax laws.
However, the commencement of the legislation should be distinguished from the enforcement and administration of individual tax provisions. Kwankwaso’s allegation that the government delayed tax collection specifically to avoid electoral consequences remains his political claim and has not been independently established.
The Federal Government’s response to the allegation was not included in the report of the event.
With the 2027 general election approaching, taxation, the cost of living, public revenue and the economic impact of government policies are expected to remain important issues in the political debate between the ruling APC and opposition parties.
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