Allegations of ₦300 million bribe have divided the members of a group planning a protest against the new tax laws scheduled for January 20, 2026.
This is as a faction accused leadership of the group of plotting to hide under the protest to ignite unrest and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the bribery allegations.
Consequently, the group moved for the cancellation of the anti tax laws protest, saying it is being sponsored by the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) to cause unrest, reports Daily Independent.
Leader of the factional group, Mustapha Abudulahi in a statement released called on security agencies to arrest the head of January 20, 2026 planned protest to avoid the breakdown of law and order.
Abudulahi said his faction broke away with the main group upon discovery that the planned protest is being financed by ADC to cause regime change by instigating unrest and throwing the country into a state of anarchy.
“We have broken away from the group planning to stage a protest against the Tax Reforms laws on January 20, 2026 following the commencement of their implementation on January 1, 2026. Our decision is based on serious concerns.
First, it has come to our knowledge that that some of our members being misled by has collected a bribe to the whooping tune of N300 million. On this, we call on the EFCC to investigate the matter.
“Secondly, we have uncovered to our chargrin that the leadership of the group is being influenced and sponsored by the African Democratic Congress(ADC), the opposition coalition with the sole purpose of causing public disorder and commotion.
“We have it on good authority that the ADC, having been faced with the reality of making no significant impact in the 2027 general election see this as an opportunity to create anarchy which would possibly lead to a regime change.
“On this note, we call on security agencies to arrest and prosecute the leader of the movement and his wingmen.
“We initially embraced the struggle when the intention was purely to prevail on the government to have a rethink over the laws as they affect common Nigerians who are already being hit hard by economic realities of the time.
But, now that some of our members have turned it into a money spinning venture and political patronage, so we have backed out and reiterate our call on the EFFC and security agencies to investigate and prosecute them for bribery and plan to cause violence.
“Our withdrawal from the protest is a call for unity, maturity and patriotism. Nigeria’s economic recovery requires collective sacrifice and responsible civic action.”
