Budget DG Describes Story Of Altered Tax Law As “Careless Amplification Of Unverified Claims”
Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu has described the news making the rounds about the alteration of new tax reform Acts as a careless amplification of unverified claims.
Defending the integrity of the Tax Reform Acts, in a statement today, December 31, Tanimu Yakubu warned that democratic integrity is endangered by such careless amplification of unverified claims.
“A nation cannot be governed by insinuation or sustained on circulating documents of uncertain origin.”
He said that public confidence, once shaken by speculation, is often difficult to restore.
He therefore reaffirmed the integrity of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, even as he further cautioned against what it described as governance by speculation and unverified claims.
The Budget Office boss said that he had taken note of concerns raised by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, acknowledging that the sanctity of the law is central to constitutional democracy and not a mere procedural formality.
He said that any suggestion that a law could be altered after debate, passage, authentication and presidential assent without due process would strike at the core of the Republic and undermine citizens’ right to be governed by transparent and stable laws
He emphasized that both government and citizens share a common interest in truth, clarity and due process, and that public finance depends heavily on trust in the legality and clarity of fiscal laws.
He welcomed the decision of the National Assembly to investigate the allegations, describing institutional inquiry, not conjecture as the appropriate response to claims of illegality.
On public access to the law, the DG agreed that Nigerians and the business community are entitled to clear and authoritative texts of all laws they are required to obey, saying however, that the authenticity of legislation is determined by certified legislative records and official publication processes, not by informal or viral reproductions.
Tanimu Yakubu stressed the importance of separation of powers, warning that claims suggesting Nigeria is being governed by “fake laws,” if not backed by established facts, risk eroding confidence in democratic institutions.
He said that legislative scrutiny should not be dismissed by the executive, and that oversight is a constitutional duty, not an act of hostility.
From a fiscal perspective, the Budget Office DG said that legal certainty is essential for revenue projections, macroeconomic stability, budget credibility and investor confidence.
“While it is not the custodian of legislative records, uncertainty around operative tax provisions directly affects economic planning.”
To restore confidence, he proposed a set of measures, including the publication of verified reference texts in a single public repository, orderly access to Certified True Copies for stakeholders, clear public explanations where discrepancies are alleged, and strict alignment of all implementing regulations with authenticated legal texts.
On the calls for suspension of the tax reforms, the DG cautioned against allowing prudence to slide into paralysis, saying that properly implemented tax reform is necessary to reduce dependence on borrowing and inflationary financing, while easing indirect burdens on vulnerable citizens.
“Where clarification is required, it must be provided; where correction is required, it must be effected; where investigation is required, it must proceed.”
He stressed that governance and reform should not be stalled by unresolved conjecture.
Tanimu Yakubu made it clear that taxation is a democratic covenant that binds citizens and the state, insisting that compliance depends on transparency and trust.
He called on political actors to protect institutions as much as positions, even as he advised citizens and businesses to rely on verified sources and resist the spread of unauthenticated information.
… Murtala Adewale presents the award to Yusuf Ozi-Usman
As Sheikh Yahaya Tajudeen Entered Ilorin Emirate “Hall Of Fame” By Yusuf Ozi-Usman
Until recently, not many people in Ebiraland, in Kogi Central Senatorial District of Nigeria knew that the first Chief Imam of the land, Sheikh Imam Yahaya Aliyu Tajudeen was an original indigene of Kwara State. As a matter of fact, the late Islamic cleric so integrated himself in Ebiraland that one would swear that he had no connection with Ilorin, Kwara State.
Sheikh Yahaya Tajudeen, to be sure, was and still is respected as a founding figure of Islam in Ebiraland. He is often described as the “founder” or “father” of Islam in Ebiraland due to his pioneering roles.
As a matter of fact, his mission in Ebiraland, spanning over 40 years, from about 1915 to 1956, laid foundations for structured Islamic life, scholarship and leadership among Ebira people.
He worked alongside early Muslim leaders and rulers such as His Royal Highness, the second Paramount ruler of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ibrahim Atta, helping Islam to take deeper root in the community.
He influenced future imams and scholars, including Sheikh Musa Galadima, who later became Chief Imam of Ebiraland.
To have merited such prestigious honour, he was acknowledged as having contributed immensely to the peace and progress of the community.
His life was described as being characterized by integrity, exemplary services, honesty and fascinating dispositions.
“The union believes that he is worthy of being categorized and celebrated among the most exceptional indigenes of Ilorin Emirate who deserve to be specially honoured for the present and future generations to emulate.”
The posthumous honour was received by one of the grandsons of the late Islamic cleric who is a veteran broadcaster, Mallam Nurudeen Imam AbdulRahman.
…abu Imam… Onizeyiza of Ebiraland
It is no doubt in recognition of the gargantuan roles Sheikh Yahaya Tajudeen played in the manifestation of Ebiraland into largely an Islamic society that the fourth Paramount ruler of the land, late Alhaji Dr. Ado ibrahim honoured his grandson, abu Imam with traditional title of Onizeyiza obanyi (Dan Amana) of Ebiraland. Onizeyiza simply means trustworthiness. It also means being reliable. That could be the only way to appreciate the great impact Sheikh Yahaya Tajudeen had on Ebiraland, in addition to the fact that even the grandson, abu Imam, was treading on the same footsteps of integrity, sincerity, honesty and commitment to human development like his grandfather.
Sheikh Imam Yahaya Tajudeen was born in 1875 in the “Ile Adafila” compound in Ilorin, Kwara State, into the family of Aliyu Badamasy and Princess Zainab. His mother was a princess from Irun town in Ondo State.
He was of Yoruba/Nupe descent and connected with the Ilorin scholarly community before his work in Ebiraland.
He first learned Qur’anic education from his father and pursued further Islamic knowledge under various scholars.
He later studied under Sheikh Tajul-Adabi, one of the prominent Muslim scholars in Kwara State.
Sheikh Tajudeen is widely acknowledged as the first Chief Imam and pioneer Islamic teacher in Ebiraland, especially in Okene and environs.
He was known as a scholar, astute administrator, pious leader, treasurer and advisor, serving not just in religious capacities but also assisting in community affairs.
He reportedly served in the British colonial Native Authority as treasurer before dedicating himself fully to Islamic propagation.
After resigning from colonial service in 1924, he committed to spreading Islam among the Ebira, Okun, Akoko and Nupe communities, establishing structured Islamic teaching and community growth.
Sheikh Tajudeen is remembered for propagating Islam peacefully through reasoned persuasion, patience and understanding of local traditions.
His model of community engagement, teaching and leadership remains part of local Islamic history and collective memory.