By Kabido News
A Kano-based civic group, The New Kano Movement, has warned that Nigeria may be heading toward a social and political crisis if the Federal Government proceeds with the implementation of the new tax laws scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
In an open letter titled “A Nation Taxed Beyond Endurance: An Open Letter to the Government on the Brink of Crisis,” the group’s chairman, Bala Muhammad Inuwa, said growing economic hardship, public distrust, and alleged irregularities in the tax legislation process have pushed citizens to the edge of tolerance.
According to the statement dated Monday, 22nd December 2025, the organisation argued that Nigerians are grappling with “exhaustion, anger, and deep mistrust,” warning that continued policy decisions perceived as opaque and punitive could provoke widespread unrest.
Allegations of Altered Legislation
Central to the group’s concerns are allegations by Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki, who claimed that provisions of the tax laws passed by the National Assembly were allegedly altered without legislative approval. The alleged insertions reportedly include arrest powers, garnishee orders, and the removal of oversight safeguards.
Although the Presidency has dismissed the claims, the New Kano Movement said the denial does little to reassure citizens already suspicious of governance processes.
“When the integrity of lawmaking itself is questioned, public trust collapses,” the group stated, asking for an independent verification of the laws before implementation.
Economic Hardship and Public Discontent
The group linked resistance to the tax laws to broader economic pressures, citing the removal of fuel subsidy, rising electricity tariffs, and Nigeria’s growing public debt.
It argued that the promised benefits of subsidy removal have yet to translate into visible improvements in infrastructure, job creation, or welfare, while electricity tariff increases have not resulted in better power supply for most Nigerians.
“The reality for many households is higher costs without improved services,” the statement noted.
Concerns Over Tax Digitalisation Agreement
The New Kano Movement also raised concerns over a reported Memorandum of Understanding involving the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), and a foreign partner in France on tax digitalisation.
Describing the agreement as opaque, the group warned that secrecy surrounding citizens’ financial data and tax infrastructure raises national security and sovereignty concerns, calling for full public disclosure of the agreement.
Call for Policy Rethink
Beyond process issues, the group questioned the underlying philosophy of the tax reforms, arguing that economic growth is driven by production and empowerment rather than increased taxation.
“You cannot tax an empty stomach into prosperity,” the letter stated, urging the government to prioritise industrial growth, SME support, and wealth creation over aggressive revenue extraction.
Calls for Suspension and Review
The group aligned itself with calls by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and several civil society organisations for the suspension of the tax laws pending an independent investigation.
According to the statement, proceeding without addressing public concerns could undermine social stability and weaken the social contract between the government and citizens.
The New Kano Movement urged the Tinubu-led administration to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and compassion, warning that continued governance perceived as secretive and insensitive could have serious consequences for national peace.