Former Nigerian Senate Leader Ali Ndume has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the country’s new tax laws, which are slated to take effect on 1 January 2026. Ndume made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, calling on the President to form a team to verify the allegations of forgery and alterations and to take appropriate action.
The controversy began when House of Representatives member Abdussamad Dasuki highlighted alleged changes to the tax legislation. Since then, the Nigerian Bar Association has demanded a suspension of the rollout, while Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has urged calm and asked lawmakers to complete their investigation before drawing conclusions.
Ndume emphasized that the dispute must be resolved before the laws are enforced, warning that ignoring the forgery claims could undermine the legislation’s legitimacy. He stated, “The President should look into it to find out if the copy that was signed and the claim of alterations are genuine, so that he will do the needful to bring the controversy to rest.”
His call for suspension has been echoed by various civil‑society groups, the Arewa Community, and the Nigerian Bar Association, all of which argue that the allegations must be investigated and the tax law withdrawn until the issues are settled. Ndume suggested establishing a small committee to probe the claims, while the House of Representatives conducts its own inquiry.
Suspending the implementation is seen as essential to preserving the legitimacy and credibility of the tax reforms. With the controversy showing no signs of abating, President Tinubu’s response to Ndume’s appeal will be closely watched, as the outcome of any investigation and subsequent actions will have significant implications for Nigeria’s tax system and the government’s broader economic reform agenda.
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