In a stark New Year warning that has sent ripples through Nigeria's political landscape, Primate Elijah Ayodele has directly linked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's political survival to the contentious tax reforms set for implementation in 2026. The cleric prophesied a disastrous electoral outcome for the president if the current course is maintained.
A Prophetic Warning of Political Peril
The leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church issued the caution as part of his annual prophecies, pinpointing the growing public dissent against the tax laws as a critical threat to Tinubu's administration. Primate Ayodele stated unequivocally that if President Tinubu proceeds with the tax reforms in 2026 without necessary adjustments, he will face a disgraceful defeat in the 2027 presidential election. The cleric warned that "all of Nigeria will vote him out" and predicted that even his allies in the National Assembly would turn against him.
Ayodele extended his prophecy beyond the tax issue, advising the government against increased borrowing, which he described as "suicidal" for the economy. He urged a strategic pivot towards harnessing Nigeria's vast and largely untapped mineral resources as a more sustainable path to economic stability.
Nationwide Opposition and Legal Tangles
The tax reform laws, which officially took effect on January 1, 2026, have been mired in controversy from the outset. A major point of contention is the alleged discrepancy between the versions passed by the National Assembly and signed by the president, and the copies later gazetted. Critics argue these differences raise serious constitutional questions and undermine the laws' legitimacy.
This legal ambiguity has fueled widespread resistance. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared a National Day of Action, scheduling a nationwide protest for January 14. The student body demands the immediate suspension of the reforms until all outstanding issues are transparently resolved.
Despite the mounting pressure, an FCT High Court recently dismissed a suit seeking to halt the implementation. The court ruled it lacked the jurisdiction to stop laws already enacted and gazetted, absent clear evidence of wrongdoing, allowing the reforms to proceed pending further legal review.
Legal Eagles Circle as Tension Mounts
Adding to the government's legal headaches, renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has threatened to initiate legal action if the government fails to address the lingering concerns. Falana insists the administration must produce clean and verifiable copies of the tax laws, warning that enforcement amidst such confusion will inevitably lead to sustained legal challenges.
This complex scenario presents a significant governance test for President Tinubu. He must balance fiscal policy objectives with intense public sentiment, legal scrutiny, and now, a high-profile prophetic warning that frames the issue in terms of his ultimate political destiny. The coming months will reveal whether the prophecy influences policy or becomes a footnote in a heated national debate.
