By Erewunmi Peace

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that he has been forced to relocate to a secret apartment and live under armed police protection due to death threats stemming from the ongoing implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax reform agenda.

Oyedele made the shocking disclosure during a recent interview with Lagos Talks FM, explaining that the threats began after the committee initiated efforts to dismantle illegal tax collection practices by over 60 government agencies.

“I had to pack out of my house. I rented a place in a secret location. I’m not the kind of person that wants anybody carrying a gun to follow me, but I had to accept mobile police protection,” Oyedele said.

Why the Threats?

Oyedele’s committee has been working to streamline Nigeria’s complex and fragmented tax system, closing loopholes and eliminating unofficial revenue streams that certain vested interests had exploited for years. He noted that some of these entities were “violently opposed” to change and had issued serious threats to his safety.

“These people are powerful and connected. What we are doing is disrupting their illegal sources of income,” he added.

President Tinubu inaugurated the tax reform committee in 2023 to address the challenges of multiple taxation, low revenue generation, and tax inefficiencies across the federation. The reforms have received widespread commendation but have also stirred controversy, especially among groups and individuals benefiting from the status quo.

Oyedele previously revealed in international media that his entire family has been affected, prompting him to increase security measures not just for himself, but also for his loved ones.

Despite the threats, Oyedele remains committed to the reform agenda, stating that his passion for Nigeria’s progress outweighs the risks.

“The job has to be done. We owe it to our children and the future of this country to fix the system,” he concluded.