Zaitawa Slams 2026 Tax Law, Backs Adebayo as Arewa Group Confers ‘Dan Kishin Arewa’ Title
By Ibrahim Yaro D-Tofa
he National Coordinator of the APC-aligned Arewa (Northern) Merger Group, Hon. Mujahid Zaitawa, has thrown his full weight behind Adebayo’s opposition to the proposed 2026 Tax Law, warning that the policy, if implemented in its current form, could worsen poverty, cripple small businesses, and deepen social inequality across Nigeria.
Zaitawa, speaking on behalf of the group, described the proposed tax framework as economically unjust and socially dangerous, particularly for low-income earners and small-scale entrepreneurs who are already grappling with inflation, unemployment, and shrinking purchasing power.
According to him, the concerns raised by Adebayo resonate with the lived realities of millions of Nigerians, especially in Northern communities where economic vulnerabilities remain pronounced.
“A tax system that ignores the realities of unemployment, inflation, and declining incomes cannot be described as reform,” Zaitawa said. “It is economic punishment. Nigerians must not be taxed into submission under the guise of reform.”
He argued that genuine tax reform should be people-centered, transparent, and designed to stimulate growth rather than shifting the entire burden of governance onto citizens who are struggling to meet basic needs. Zaitawa cautioned that policies perceived as elitist risk widening the gap between the political class and ordinary Nigerians, thereby threatening social cohesion and national stability.
In recognition of Adebayo’s consistent advocacy for fairness, justice, and the protection of Northern economic interests, the Arewa Merger Group announced its unanimous decision to confer on him the traditional-political honorific title of “Dan Kishin Arewa,” meaning Defender of Northern Interests.
The group explained that the title symbolizes courage, loyalty, and steadfast commitment to the welfare of the Arewa people, particularly at a time when economic policies could further marginalize vulnerable populations.
“Dan Kishin Arewa is not merely ceremonial,” Zaitawa noted. “It is a responsibility. Adebayo has demonstrated the courage to speak truth to power, and the North stands firmly with him.”
Zaitawa further disclosed that the Arewa Merger Group remains prepared to engage policymakers constructively, mobilize public opinion, and resist any economic policy that undermines equity, social justice, and national unity.
The development adds fresh momentum to the growing national debate over the 2026 Tax Law, as stakeholders across regions intensify calls for reforms that balance government revenue needs with the economic survival of ordinary Nigerians.