… Faction Withdraws From January 20 Rally, Calls For EFCC Probe
…Protest Hijacked By Political Interests, Say Leaders
Daud Olatunji
A planned nationwide protest against Nigeria’s new Tax Reform Laws, slated for January 20, 2026, has been thrown into disarray following allegations that the leadership of the movement collected a ₦300 million bribe.
The controversy has split the group into rival factions, with one wing calling for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On Friday, a breakaway faction led by Mustapha Abdulahi announced its withdrawal from the protest, accusing the organisers of turning the movement into a “money-spinning venture” and claiming it was being sponsored by the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) to incite public unrest.
Abdulahi, in a statement, urged security agencies to arrest the leaders of the planned demonstration to prevent potential chaos.
“The allegation of ₦300 million bribe has divided members of the group planning a protest against the Tax Reform Laws. We have broken away from the group following the discovery that some leaders have collected this sum,” he said.
The faction alleged that the opposition party intended to exploit public dissatisfaction over the new tax regime to destabilise the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We have uncovered that the leadership of the group is influenced and sponsored by the ADC with the sole purpose of causing public disorder and commotion,” Abdulahi said.
Initially, the faction supported the protest due to concerns over Nigerians struggling under economic hardships exacerbated by the Tax Reform Laws, which took effect on January 1, 2026.
However, the group said it could no longer associate with the rally after discovering it had been hijacked for political and financial gain.
“Our withdrawal from the protest is a call for unity, maturity, and patriotism.
Nigeria’s economic recovery requires collective sacrifice and responsible civic action,” Abdulahi added.
The January 20 demonstration, which had attracted nationwide attention, now faces uncertainty as the split raises concerns about potential clashes between rival factions.
The EFCC has yet to comment on the bribery claims, while security agencies are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
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