The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,has dismissed claims by the opposition that the newly enacted tax laws were secretly altered.
Ajayi stated that there is no evidence to support the allegations, describing them as mere political noise intended to distract the government. According to him, opposition figures often make unfounded claims to create unnecessary controversy around public policy.
“Opposition elements can say whatever they want, even when it is obvious to every rational person that their aim is to pollute the waters and create a toxic environment around policy issues,” he said.
Ajayi emphasized that opposition pressure would not hinder the full implementation of the new tax regime, which is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The tax reforms, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, comprise four major bills which the government has described as a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system. The reforms are designed to simplify tax payment, broaden the tax base, eliminate multiple taxation, and enhance revenue collection across federal, state, and local governments.
Although the bills initially encountered strong resistance particularly from some lawmakers in northern Nigeria support for the reforms eventually emerged.
Ajayi also revealed that a House of Representatives committee, chaired by the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Faleke, has been constituted to review the allegations of alterations. He assured the public that the government would respect the committee’s findings.
He further noted that relevant agencies are already prepared for the rollout of the new tax regime, adding that the committee overseeing its implementation has been working for the past six months and remains focused on its mandate.
