The African Democratic Congress has called for the immediate suspension of Nigeria’s newly introduced tax reforms, citing what it described as a serious constitutional breach arising from alleged alterations made after legislative approval and presidential assent.
The party made the demand in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. According to the ADC, modifying laws after they have been passed by the National Assembly and signed by Tinubu threatens democratic governance and undermines the separation of powers.
The opposition party’s position followed a point of privilege raised on December 17 in the House of Representatives by Abdussamad Dasuki, a lawmaker from Sokoto State. Dasuki had drawn attention to discrepancies between the harmonised tax bills passed by lawmakers and the versions later released to the public.
Reacting to the development, the ADC called on the National Assembly to immediately halt the implementation of the tax laws to allow for a comprehensive review of the alleged changes.
“The African Democratic Congress has reviewed various reports which confirm doubts that the various tax laws passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu contain substantial alterations of key provisions that were not part of the original legislation approved by the legislature,” the statement said.
The party claimed that its own examination of the documents revealed that key accountability provisions were removed, while new clauses were inserted to grant expanded enforcement powers to the Executive.
“ADC’s forensic review of the original laws and the gazetted versions has 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,” Abdullahi stated.
The party further alleged that one of the inserted provisions empowers the government to arrest individuals and take over their property for non-compliance with the tax laws.
While reiterating its opposition to tax measures that could worsen economic hardship, the ADC said the issue went beyond taxation.
“This issue reflects a mindset that shows disregard for democratic institutions and constitutional boundaries,” the statement added.
Describing any post-legislative alteration of laws as unacceptable, the party warned that such actions amount to an attack on constitutional governance.
“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 ADC said.
The party called for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of any official found culpable.
“For the avoidance of doubt, under our Constitution, only the legislature has the power to make laws. Any legislation not passed in accordance with constitutional provisions cannot stand,” the statement read.
The ADC concluded by urging the suspension of all 2025 tax laws signed by Tinubu, insisting that a full legislative review was necessary to preserve democratic principles and constitutional order.
