- Presidency dismisses Amaechi’s tax law claims
- Onanuga calls allegations “egregious lies”
- Amaechi warns of economic hardship after 2027
- Government defends new Tax Act reforms
The Presidency has dismissed claims by former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi over Nigeria’s new tax laws, describing his statements as misleading and false.
The response followed a viral video in which Amaechi warned Nigerians of what he described as severe economic consequences should the All Progressives Congress retain power after the 2027 general elections.
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In the video, Amaechi alleged that the APC-led government plans to fully implement a controversial tax law immediately after the elections, claiming it would impose automatic deductions on large financial transactions and increase the cost of living nationwide.
“By January next year, February next year, all of you will be in trouble if APC wins,” Amaechi said.
“If I pay you ₦100 million for building materials, automatically ₦25 million will leave your account.”
He argued that the alleged policy would force landlords, professionals and business owners to transfer the tax burden to consumers through higher prices.
“This affects everybody, not just you,” he added.
Amaechi, who joined the opposition African Democratic Congress in 2025, questioned why the government had not implemented the tax measures earlier, suggesting the move was being delayed to avoid voter backlash.
“Why is Tinubu not implementing it now? He’s waiting to finish the election so that you don’t punish him,” he claimed.
Reacting to the remarks, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accused Amaechi of deliberately misleading the public.
“Rotimi Amaechi caught spreading egregious lies about the Tax Act,” Onanuga wrote.
“The former minister and governor has really slipped so low, misleading people about the law.”
Onanuga further questioned whether the claims were an early indication of the ADC’s campaign strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Is this blatant falsehood a foretaste of ADC campaign strategy during the campaign for the 2027 election?” he asked.
The Tax Act, which took effect on January 1, 2026, has drawn criticism from some quarters, with opponents warning that it could increase financial pressure on low-income earners. Government officials, however, insist that the reforms are aimed at improving fiscal efficiency and strengthening long-term economic stability.
Signed into law in June 2025, the reforms consolidate over 70 existing taxes, rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service to the Nigeria Revenue Service, and introduce taxation for digital assets as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s tax system.
