Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar Calls for Suspension of New Tax Law
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate suspension of Nigeria’s new tax legislation, describing the changes as “a brazen act of treason against the Nigerian people” and a direct threat to the country’s constitutional democracy.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Atiku condemned what he called “unauthorised modifications” to the tax law after it was passed by the National Assembly, accusing the executive branch of undermining legislative authority.
He said, “This draconian overreach by the executive branch undermines the foundational principle of legislative supremacy. It shows a government more focused on extracting wealth from struggling citizens than enabling them to thrive.”
Atiku pointed to specific provisions he described as unconstitutional, including:
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Tax authorities being granted arrest powers
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Property seizures without court orders
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Enforcement sales without judicial oversight
He warned that these measures effectively turn tax officials into quasi-law enforcement agents, stripping Nigerians of due process protections intentionally provided by lawmakers.
Atiku also highlighted the financial burdens the new law imposes, such as:
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Mandatory 20% security deposits before appealing tax assessments
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Compound interest on tax debts
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Forced computations in US dollars for petroleum operations
“These changes create financial barriers that prevent ordinary Nigerians from contesting unfair assessments and increase compliance costs for businesses already struggling in a challenging economy,” he said.
He further criticised the removal of accountability mechanisms, noting that it shields the government from scrutiny while expanding its powers—a characteristic of authoritarian governance.
Calls to Action
Atiku urged various institutions and Nigerians to respond:
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The Executive: Suspend the implementation of the tax law effective January 1, 2026, to allow for proper review.
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National Assembly: Rectify the alleged illegal changes and hold responsible parties accountable.
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Judiciary: Strike down unconstitutional provisions and protect the legislative process.
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Civil Society and Citizens: Reject the breach of democratic principles and demand governance that serves the people.
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EFCC: Investigate and prosecute those implicated in the illegal modifications.
He concluded, emphasizing the importance of legislative integrity:
“What the National Assembly did not pass cannot become law. This principle must be defended. Nigerians deserve better than a government that circumvents democracy to impose hardship.”
Background
The controversy arose when House member Abdulsamad Dasuki flagged discrepancies between the tax law versions passed by the National Assembly and those later gazetted. He argued that the differences violated lawmakers’ rights and that the public version did not match what was debated in the House.
The Federal Government maintains that there is only one authentic version of the tax reform laws, which was duly assented to by President Bola Tinubu. Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, and Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, both dismissed claims of secret alterations and warned of consequences for non-compliance starting January 1, 2026.
