The African Action Congress (AAC) has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over alleged alterations to Nigeria’s tax laws, accusing the government of implementing policies that further impoverish ordinary Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rex I. Elanu, the AAC described the changes as a form of “legalised punishment” against the poor, claiming they benefit the political and economic elite at the expense of struggling citizens.
The opposition party argued that the tax adjustments, made after the original tax reform proposals were submitted to the National Assembly, do not amount to genuine reform or modernisation. Instead, it alleged that the changes are designed to increase revenue collection from citizens already affected by poverty, insecurity and weak governance.
AAC stated that Nigeria’s tax system has historically been unfair, noting that many citizens pay taxes without receiving basic public services. The party highlighted challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, and deteriorating healthcare and education systems, arguing that taxation under such conditions is unjust.
According to the party, rather than addressing these structural issues, the Tinubu administration has increased the financial burden on ordinary Nigerians through revised tax laws. It accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of accumulating massive public debt and now shifting the consequences of what it described as mismanagement and waste to workers, traders, artisans, students and small business owners.
AAC rejected claims that higher taxes on a struggling population would lead to economic development, insisting that prosperity cannot be achieved without jobs, security and social welfare systems.
The party called for an immediate suspension of what it described as regressive tax measures and urged the government to adopt people-focused economic policies that prioritise job creation, living wages, improved security, healthcare, education and infrastructure.
It also demanded greater transparency and accountability in public finance, including a forensic audit of Nigeria’s rising debt and the utilisation of borrowed funds.
Reiterating its stance, the AAC said Nigeria’s primary challenge lies in leadership and governance rather than insufficient taxation, adding that it would continue to oppose policies it considers harmful to the public while advocating systemic change.
