Tax Reform Crisis Deepens: Minority Lawmakers Demand Immediate Suspension Amid ‘Alteration’ Scandal

By Emmanuel Kwada 

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing controversy surrounding Nigeria’s new tax reform laws, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently suspend their implementation, scheduled for January 1, 2026, pending a full investigation into allegations of fraudulent alterations.

The four laws—the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2025—were signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 26, 2025, after months of heated debates, including strong opposition from northern lawmakers.

The storm erupted earlier this month when Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) raised a point of privilege in plenary, alleging material discrepancies between the versions harmonised and passed by the National Assembly and those gazetted and circulated by the government.

Dasuki described the issue as a breach of legislative privilege and a potential constitutional crisis, noting that even lawmakers lack access to certified true copies for comparison.

In a statement issued Sunday and signed by Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda (listed as Rep. O.K. Chinda in some reports), Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C., Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, the caucus expressed “great consternation and overwhelming disappointment” over the allegations.

“Any attempt to foist fake laws on Nigerians is an attack on the independence and constitutional role of the National Assembly in safeguarding our democracy,” the statement read. The lawmakers urged Nigerians to disregard any circulating versions lacking authentication from the Clerk to the National Assembly and the President.

The caucus emphasised the need for clarity: “We call on the government to suspend the implementation of the tax laws until investigations are concluded and there is clarity and certainty of the law to be implemented.” They pledged to support a thorough probe to expose any irregularities and hold culprits accountable.

The demand comes just days after Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, reaffirmed that the January 1 rollout is “sacrosanct.”

Following a briefing to President Tinubu, Oyedele insisted the reforms would provide relief: exempting 97% of small businesses from corporate taxes, reducing or eliminating PAYE for 98% of workers, and lowering burdens on large firms to spur growth and inclusivity.

Oyedele welcomed the National Assembly’s review of the allegations and expressed readiness to collaborate, noting that two of the laws already commenced in June 2025 for institutional setup.

The National Assembly has launched an internal review and directed re-gazetting of authentic copies. Similar calls for suspension have come from the Nigerian Bar Association, labour unions, civil society groups, and figures like former Senator Ali Ndume.