ON THE CONTINUING TAX LAW CONTROVERSY, SENATE PRESIDENT’S DIRECTIVE TO RE-GAZETTE, AND MOVEMENT DEMANDS
The January 20 Movement acknowledges the recent directive from the leadership of the Nigerian National Assembly, including the Senate President and Speaker of the House, to re-gazette the newly enacted tax laws and issue certified true copies of the versions passed by both chambers. This administrative action purportedly intended to clarify differences between the versions of the tax law that were debated and approved by the National Assembly and the versions that were subsequently published.
Nonetheless, the Movement affirms that this directive does not in any way diminish, negate, or take away from our central demand: that there must be clear legal and criminal accountability for those responsible for the production, publication, or circulation of any statute that materially deviates from the law duly passed by the National Assembly. The rule of law, constitutional integrity, and democratic accountability demand consequences where public trust has been compromised.
It is on this basis that the January 20 Movement reiterates, without ambiguity, that among our primary demands are the following:
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The immediate sack and removal from office of Mr. Zacch Adedeji as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
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The immediate sack and removal from office of Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee.
These demands are premised on credible allegations circulating publicly that the tax laws, as gazetted, do not faithfully reflect what the National Assembly voted on and passed, a matter now acknowledged by lawmakers and underscored by respected public figures who stress that any alteration to a law post-passage without fresh legislative approval constitutes a constitutional breach and, in law, forgery.
The Movement underscores that the demand for investigations and prosecution remains fully intact. Administrative steps such as re-gazetting are procedural; they do not cure illegality, nor do they obviate the need for transparent inquiries into how and why discrepancies occurred, nor do they absolve public officials from legal scrutiny or liability should misconduct be established.
We thank millions of Nigerians across labour, civil society, faith groups, student bodies, professional associations, and ordinary citizens who have responded positively to the January 20 nationwide peaceful shutdown initiative. The level of engagement, mobilization, and civic determination has been significant and continues to grow.
The Movement reiterates that violence and disorder are explicitly rejected. Our nationwide actions remain committed to peaceful, lawful civic expressions, including:
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Peaceful rallies and public marches
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Industrial actions and coordinated work stoppages
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Civic forums and online public discussions
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Strategic and sustained social media engagement
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TV and radio discussions that inform and educate citizens
The nationwide shutdown and active mobilization remain scheduled and imminent unless and until the Government of Nigeria demonstrates a clear willingness to remove the named officials, initiate proper legal accountability mechanisms, and vindicate the confidence of the Nigerian people.
All allied groups, coalitions, and grassroots movements are urged to sustain and intensify mobilization efforts. We must maintain the momentum and civic unity necessary to secure justice, institutional integrity, and the democratic rights of all Nigerians.
The January 20 Movement remains rooted in the will of the people.
We shall not relent. We shall not yield. We shall prevail.
Issued by the National Coordinating Committee
The January 20 Movement
29 December 2025
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