Former Vice President and presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, alongside a coalition of opposition voices, has launched a scathing critique of the Bola Tinubu administration's proposed tax reforms. The group presented a list of five non-negotiable demands during a major press conference in the nation's capital.
Strong Condemnation at Abuja Press Conference
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, addressed the media at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja. Speaking on behalf of the National Opposition Movement (NOM), he asserted that Nigerians are already overburdened by economic hardship.
He argued that citizens are suffering from systemic failures including waste, corruption, mismanagement, and policy arrogance. Atiku firmly stated that the government should not attempt to "fix government failure by billing the victims." His critique was direct and pointed, accusing President Tinubu of focusing on exploitation rather than effective governance.
Atiku's Sharp Critique of the Tax Plan
In his address, Atiku Abubakar framed the proposed tax reforms as ill-timed and oppressive. He highlighted the cumulative impact of recent economic policies that have placed immense strain on Nigerians.
The removal of the fuel subsidy, the collapse of the naira, rampant food inflation, and increased electricity tariffs were listed as key factors that have pushed households and small businesses to the brink. Introducing an aggressive tax regime now, according to Atiku, confirms a government dangerously disconnected from the realities of its citizens.
He expressed deep concern over the concentration of power in the hands of revenue authorities, warning that "account access, penalties, and automated enforcement without strong oversight invite abuse." Atiku, also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), concluded this point with a powerful statement: "When citizens fear the taxman more than they trust the government, something is fundamentally wrong."
The Five-Point Demand List from the Opposition
The coalition, led by Atiku, crystallised its position into five concrete demands presented to the Tinubu government. These demands are intended to serve as prerequisites for any acceptable tax reform process.
- Immediate suspension of the tax plan’s take-off date.
- Nationwide consultation involving labour unions, civil society organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), professional bodies, and state governments.
- Explicit social protection guarantees that must be tied to any future tax reform initiative.
- A fundamental shift in focus to taxing luxury goods, excess profits, monopolies, and corruption, rather than further burdening the poor.
- The establishment of strong legal safeguards to protect the rights of taxpayers from potential abuse.
Broader Context of Hunger and Governance
This press conference builds upon Atiku's recent criticisms of the administration's overall performance. He has previously stated that over two years into President Tinubu's tenure, there is no clear sign that the government can tackle the pervasive hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
Atiku described the level of hunger in the country as unacceptable, particularly for the underprivileged. He issued a stark warning, noting that history shows most violent socio-political eruptions and revolutions are powered by pervasive hunger and unbearable material conditions. He pointed to the paradox of widespread squalor existing amidst the nation's plenty as a potentially volatile situation.
The opposition's unified stance, as demonstrated in Abuja, signals a coordinated strategy to challenge the government's economic direction. The five demands now place the ball firmly in the court of the Tinubu administration, setting the stage for a significant political and policy debate in the coming weeks.
