The African Democratic Congress has urged the Nigerian government to suspend the recently introduced tax laws, citing allegations of unauthorized modifications after legislative approval. According to the party, critical sections of the laws were altered after being passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. This development has been described as a breach of constitutional provisions.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, issued a statement highlighting the discrepancies between the original bills passed by lawmakers and the versions later released to the public. The statement followed a point of privilege raised by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki in the House of Representatives, which drew attention to the alleged alterations. The African Democratic Congress has conducted a forensic review of the original laws and the gazetted versions, confirming that key accountability provisions were deleted, while new clauses were inserted granting coercive powers to the Executive.
The party argues that these modifications reflect a disregard for democratic institutions and constitutional boundaries. Altering legislation after it has been passed by elected representatives is seen as a direct assault on constitutional governance, indicative of totalitarian tendencies. The African Democratic Congress has called for a thorough investigation and swift prosecution of any government official found culpable in the alleged forgery.
The party emphasizes that only the legislature has the power to make laws, and any legislation not passed in accordance with constitutional provisions cannot stand. To address this issue, the African Democratic Congress has demanded the immediate suspension of all 2025 tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu, allowing for a full legislative review. This step is deemed necessary to preserve the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.
The allegations of unauthorized modifications to the tax laws have significant implications for Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the rule of law. The African Democratic Congress’s call for a suspension of the tax laws and a thorough investigation highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the legislative process. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian government will respond to these allegations and what steps will be taken to address concerns about the integrity of the legislative process.