Coalition of Niger Delta CSOs suspends planned February 9 protest over new tax law

ABUJA — The Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Organisations (CNDCSOs) has suspended its planned peaceful mass protest against the newly introduced Tax Law, following what it described as constructive engagements with relevant federal authorities.

The protest, which was scheduled for February 9, 2026, in Abuja and across states in the Niger Delta, was aimed at highlighting the perceived adverse socio-economic impact of the new tax regime on oil-producing communities facing poverty, environmental degradation, unemployment and poor infrastructure.

In a statement jointly signed by Ambassador Okporu, Ebi Augustine and Comrade Jesse Birinumughan, leaders of the coalition said ongoing consultations and interventions by key stakeholders within the Federal Government had helped ease tensions, leading to the decision to suspend the protest in the interest of peace, stability and national dialogue.

According to the coalition, the move is a goodwill gesture intended to give the Federal Government adequate time to address concerns raised by civil society groups and other critical stakeholders from the Niger Delta.

“Our decision to step back from the planned protest is anchored on assurances received that our grievances will be reviewed through inclusive engagement and transparent processes,” the statement said. “We believe dialogue remains the most effective pathway to resolving policy issues of national importance.”

The CNDCSOs reiterated that while taxation remains a legitimate instrument for national development, policies that directly affect citizens’ livelihoods must be people-centred, consultative and sensitive to the peculiar challenges of regions such as the Niger Delta, which has borne the environmental and social costs of oil exploration for decades.

The coalition stressed that its demands — including a review of the new tax law, robust stakeholder engagement, public sensitisation and transparency in revenue utilisation — remain valid and non-negotiable, even as it adopts a more diplomatic approach.

It cautioned that the suspension of the protest should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from civic responsibility, noting that civil society organisations would continue to monitor developments and reserve the right to mobilise peacefully should promised engagements fail to yield concrete outcomes.

The group also commended security agencies and government institutions for maintaining open communication channels, disclosing that copies of its earlier protest notice had been forwarded to the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Ministers of Defence and Interior, as well as the Department of State Services.

Observers say the suspension of the protest has eased rising tensions in the Niger Delta and Abuja, creating space for dialogue and policy review in line with democratic principles and constitutional governance.

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