DUTSE, JIGAWA STATE — Vice-Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of delaying the implementation of tax collection provisions under Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws over fears of a possible electoral backlash ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso made the allegation during the inauguration of the NDC Campaign Council in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, where he criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the tax reforms.
According to him, although the tax reform bills have been passed into law, the government has allegedly been reluctant to commence certain aspects of their implementation because of concerns that the measures could affect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s chances in the 2027 elections.
He claimed that the administration was postponing tax collection because it feared the political consequences of imposing additional tax burdens on Nigerians before the next general election.
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“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 further warned that Nigerians could face more aggressive tax enforcement if the APC secures another mandate in 2027, suggesting that the government could introduce measures that would make tax collection more intrusive.
“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.
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The former Kano State governor also questioned the circumstances surrounding the approval of the tax reform legislation, alleging that the Senate President deliberately stayed away from the session to avoid being 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.
NDC Promises to Scrap Unnecessary Taxes, Provide Free Education Support
Speaking on his party’s proposed agenda, Kwankwaso said the NDC would prioritise the welfare of Nigerians if elected into office in 2027.
He promised that an NDC-led government would review and cancel what he described as unnecessary taxes, while investing in quality education and providing financial support for children’s education.
“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 also called on Nigerians not to give the APC another opportunity to remain in power, arguing that its re-election could jeopardise the country’s future.
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He urged voters to consider the NDC’s promises on taxation, education and economic welfare when making their political decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Background on Nigeria’s New Tax Laws
Nigeria’s new tax reform framework comprises four major laws: the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025 and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025.
The Federal Government announced that the major provisions scheduled for commencement under the new framework would take effect from January 1, 2026. In June 2026, the Federal Ministry of Finance also issued transition guidelines to clarify the implementation process for taxpayers and revenue authorities.
Kwankwaso’s allegation that the government delayed tax collection specifically because of the 2027 elections remains his political claim. The government’s published implementation guidelines provide a different account of the tax reform’s commencement and transition arrangements.
His comments add taxation and education to the issues likely to feature prominently in political discussions as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.
