The African Democratic Congress has called for the immediate suspension of Nigeria’s recently introduced tax laws, citing alterations of key provisions that were not part of the original legislation approved by the National Assembly.
In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Saturday, the party warned that altering legislation after its approval by the legislature amounts to alleged centralisation of power by President Bola Tinubu.
“ADC’s forensic review of the original laws and the gazetted versions has also established beyond doubt that key accountability provisions were deleted, while new clauses were inserted granting coercive powers to the executive in enforcing the tax laws without recourse to the courts.
“For example, one of the insertions allegedly grants the government the express power to arrest individuals and take over their property for non-compliance with the tax laws,” the statement stated.
ADC’s concerns came days after Abdussamad Dasuki, a House of Representatives member from Sokoto, drew his colleagues’ attention to alleged discrepancies between the tax reforms approved by the House and the version passed into law.
The opposition party said it did not support any tax measures likely to compound the hardship already faced by citizens and businesses, noting that any post-legislative alteration of laws was an assault on constitutional governance.
“The ADC’s position on the so-called tax reforms has been made clear. We do not support any tax measures that are likely to compound the hardship already faced by citizens and businesses. However, this issue goes beyond taxation. It reflects a mindset that shows disregard for democratic institutions and constitutional boundaries.
“Altering legislation and gazetting it after it has been passed by 469 elected representatives of the Nigerian people is a direct assault on constitutional governance. It is indicative of totalitarian tendencies by a president seeking to concentrate power, even if it means violating the constitution from which he derives his authority,” the statement stated.
While accusing the executive arm of government of usurping legislative authority, the ADC maintained that any legislation not passed in accordance with constitutional provisions could not stand.
The party demanded immediate suspension of the laws and called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of officials culpable in the alleged forgery.
“The ADC therefore calls for the immediate suspension of all 2025 tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu to allow for a full legislative review. This is the only reasonable course of action to preserve the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the constitution.
“We also call for a full investigation and the immediate prosecution of any government official found culpable in this alleged act of forgery, which strikes at the very heart of our democracy,” it stated.
