Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party and African Democratic Congress presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has urged Tinubu to suspend the implementation and enforcement of the newly introduced tax laws, citing serious policy, administrative and drafting concerns.
Obi made the call on Tuesday in a statement posted on his official X handle, @PeterObi, where he appealed to the presidency to make a clear pronouncement on the suspension of the tax laws currently being enforced across the country.
In the post titled, Why the controversial tax law should be paused, Obi said an international accounting firm, KPMG, had reportedly identified 31 critical problem areas in the tax framework, ranging from drafting errors to policy contradictions and administrative gaps.
According to him, “It is now undeniable that the tax laws have been fundamentally altered, and even a firm as esteemed as KPMG has pinpointed 31 critical problem areas, from drafting errors to glaring policy contradictions and administrative gaps. This revelation should prompt every responsible government to take immediate action.”
The former Anambra State governor expressed concern that the issues were only acknowledged after private meetings between the National Revenue Service and KPMG, arguing that such complexity leaves the average Nigerian confused about their tax obligations.
He said, “If experts require closed door discussions to navigate the complexities of our tax laws, what hope does the average Nigerian have of comprehending the obligations being imposed on them?”
Obi accused the administration of proceeding with tax enforcement without public understanding or trust, stressing that taxation goes beyond revenue generation and represents a social contract between government and citizens.
“Taxation transcends mere fiscal policy. It represents a social contract between the government and its citizens. You cannot enforce a social contract that is not understood or trusted,” he stated.
He further argued that globally, tax systems are justified by visible public benefits such as improved healthcare, education, infrastructure and social safety nets, but lamented that in Nigeria, the focus appears to be on extraction rather than service delivery.
“A tax system devoid of clear public benefits is not reform. It is, quite frankly, extortion,” Obi said.
The ADC chieftain also criticised the absence of broad consultations before the tax laws were finalised, noting that citizens were neither properly informed nor carried along on the implications and benefits of the policies.
“Typically, months, if not years, are dedicated to consulting businesses, workers and civil society before tax drafts are presented for public discussion. In Nigeria, we have seen no such consultations, leaving ordinary citizens completely in the dark,” he added.
Obi warned that the enforcement of new tax laws amid rising food prices, high transport costs, reduced purchasing power and worsening poverty would further burden Nigerians.
“Without trust, taxation feels like punishment. Without clarity, it breeds confusion. Without evident public value, it amounts to robbery,” he said.
He called on the government to prioritise dialogue, transparency and national consensus, insisting that meaningful reform could only be achieved through effective communication and public trust.
“Nigeria cannot afford to place further burdens on its already struggling citizens. What we need is a government that listens, communicates effectively and builds consensus. A New Nigeria is not just a possibility, it is an imperative,” Obi concluded.
