..Doctored Versions Are Fakes, Photoshopped To Sow Discord
The Chairman, Presidential Tax Law Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has allayed fears over a doctored Tax Law Gazette that has been rumored across social media and other platforms.
He made this known while fielding questions from Channels TV “Politics Today” host, Seun Okinbaloye, during a ceremony to celebrate the 50th birthday of Special Adviser to Nigeria’s President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Hafsat Ahmed (Halifax Hadiza), held at a plush venue in Abuja on Saturday evening.
The glamorous event, attended by top government officials, business leaders, and dignitaries, turned into an impromptu platform for addressing a brewing controversy. Social media had been abuzz for days with claims of a falsified gazette notice, allegedly altering key provisions of the newly signed Tax Reform Bills. Critics, including some opposition figures, warned it could impose hidden taxes on small businesses and everyday Nigerians, sparking widespread panic.
Oyedele, speaking candidly amid the celebrations, dismissed the rumors as “malicious misinformation orchestrated by vested interests threatened by reform.” He explained that the official gazette, published in the Federal Official Gazette No. 189, Volume 112, on December 30, 2025, remains unaltered and accessible on the Federal Ministry of Justice website.
“These doctored versions are fakes, photoshopped to sow discord,” Oyedele said, holding up his phone to show the authentic document. “The real bills—Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill—aim to simplify taxes, cut rates for low-income earners, and boost compliance without new burdens. We’ve exempted artisans, farmers, and informal traders explicitly.
“Seun Okinbaloye pressed on the timing, asking if the leaks were sabotage ahead of implementation. Oyedele nodded, revealing his team had reported the forgeries to cybersecurity agencies. “We’re not just reforming taxes; we’re reforming mindsets. Fear-mongering won’t stop us from delivering a fairer system that grows our economy.
“Guests, including Finance Minister Wale Edun and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, applauded Oyedele’s clarity. Birthday celebrant Hadiza Hafsat Ahmed, known for her work in women’s empowerment, praised the intervention: “Truth crushes rumors, just like reform crushes inefficiency.
“The clarification quelled online frenzy, with #RealTaxReform trending by night’s end. Oyedele urged Nigerians to verify sources directly, promising town halls for further engagement.
As confetti fell, the mood shifted from suspicion to cautious optimism— a fitting toast to both a milestone birthday and transparent governance.
