By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged Nigerians to speak out against the proposed introduction of fuel taxes, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of placing additional economic burdens on citizens already struggling with rising living costs.

In a statement dated October 20, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the civil rights group called on Nigerians to reject what it described as an anti-people policy and accused the National Assembly of failing to adequately represent citizens’ interests.

HURIWA alleged that the government’s decision to delay the introduction of fuel taxes until economic conditions improve could have political implications ahead of the 2027 general elections. It claimed that the delay could help the administration avoid public backlash before the polls, although the statement provided no independent evidence that the postponement was intended to influence voters.

The group’s reaction followed comments by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who said the government would consider introducing fuel taxes when the economy stabilises and citizens’ incomes can accommodate the additional costs.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on the sidelines of the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, Oyedele said imposing additional taxes immediately after petrol subsidy removal would have worsened the hardship faced by Nigerians.

“You remove subsidy, you can’t immediately impose taxes. That would be insensitive. You push the people to the wall,” the minister said.

Oyedele explained that fuel taxes could support road infrastructure and the development of fuel reserves to help the country manage future supply disruptions. He also said the government could temporarily suspend the levies when necessary to cushion the effects of market shocks.

“There has to be an order published in the gazette by the finance minister, which means we can’t do it in secret,” he said, explaining the procedure required before the taxes could take effect.

HURIWA, however, questioned the rationale for the proposed levies, arguing that the removal of petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system had already placed considerable pressure on households and businesses.

The group accused the administration of worsening the cost-of-living crisis and warned that additional fuel-related taxes could further increase transportation and other household expenses.

It also criticised what it described as the government’s reliance on economic reform arguments without sufficient consideration for the hardship experienced by vulnerable Nigerians.

HURIWA’s statement referenced remarks attributed to Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, alleging that Nigerians were unaware of a tax law that could require them to pay 25 per cent of their earnings in tax after the 2027 elections.

However, the claim about a universal 25 per cent income tax requires a distinction from the proposed fuel taxes discussed by Oyedele. A fact-check published by Pulse Nigeria on October 20 said the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, does not impose a flat 25 per cent personal income tax on every Nigerian. It provides a maximum rate of 25 per cent on taxable income above ?50 million, rather than a uniform rate for all earners. The tax framework took effect on January 1, 2026.

HURIWA nevertheless maintained that Nigerians should challenge policies they believe could deepen poverty and called for peaceful street protests against the proposed fuel taxes.

“Nigerians should and must peacefully carry out streets protests to denounce the new tax law which has hastely been passed without any inputs by Nigerians,” the group said.

It also accused the National Assembly of failing to adequately reflect the concerns of ordinary citizens, using strong language to criticise lawmakers aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Tinubu administration.

The group said Nigerians should not remain passive in the face of economic policies they consider harmful, urging citizens to organise peacefully and demand greater accountability from elected officials.

“We believe that only a population under political hypnosis wouldn’t make any rational efforts to fight for their precious lives that are threatened and endangered by the noxious economic maladministration by President Tinubu,” the statement added.

HURIWA further challenged the government’s defence of its economic policies, arguing that the effects of subsidy removal, currency depreciation and rising fuel prices had placed millions of households under severe pressure.

The group called on the Federal Government to reconsider additional taxation until Nigerians could better withstand the economic consequences, insisting that any policy affecting household finances should be accompanied by clear public communication and meaningful consideration of citizens’ welfare.