PRP demands suspension of tax laws

The Peoples Redemption Party has called for the suspension of the newly enacted tax reform laws signed by President Bola Tinubu, backing the allegations that the version gazetted and released to the public differs from what was duly passed by the National Assembly.

The party made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the National Chairman of the PRP, Falalu Bello, following fresh allegations by a member of the House of Representatives that the executive arm altered key provisions of the tax laws after their passage by lawmakers.

The statement said, “The PRP is deeply alarmed and condemns the blatant executive misconduct and flagrant disregard for constitutional sovereignty exhibited by the current administration in the recent manipulation of Nigeria’s tax laws.

“The revelation by a concerned and commendable member of the House of Representatives shows that the executive arm clandestinely altered bills after their passage by the National Assembly without legislative approval.

“This is a dangerous pattern of executive impunity that threatens the very foundations of Nigeria’s democracy and due process. It is an unforgivable breach of trust, a mockery of the Nigerian people, and an open assault on the integrity of our legislative process.”

The party demanded a full-scale investigation into the alleged discrepancies between the laws passed by lawmakers and the version gazetted by the Federal Government, insisting that all those found culpable must be punished.

“In light of these grave developments, the PRP calls for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into these alterations to identify and punish all those responsible for this egregious misconduct.

We insist that those found culpable, regardless of their position, must be held accountable and face appropriate punishment for their fraudulent conduct.

“If evidence emerges implicating President Bola Tinubu in these illegal manipulations, the PRP calls for his impeachment without delay. No individual, including the President, should be above the law,” the statement said.

The PRP further urged the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the tax laws pending the resolution of the controversy, warning that it would approach the courts if the matter was not addressed.

Warning of wider consequences, the party accused the administration of undermining democratic governance and called on Nigerians to resist what it described as executive overreach.

The PRP’s intervention followed a revelation by a lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, who last Thursday raised the alarm in the House of Representatives over alleged alterations to the tax reform laws.

Dasuki alleged that the version of the tax laws passed by the National Assembly differed from the version later gazetted and circulated by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Information.

The reports that the tax reform laws, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, were recently signed by the President and have been described by the Federal Government as the most far-reaching overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades.

However, the bills faced stiff resistance during legislative consideration, particularly from some northern lawmakers, amid concerns about their economic and regional implications.

The controversy deepened after Dasuki claimed that some provisions contained in the gazetted laws were neither debated nor approved by lawmakers.

Reacting to the allegations, the presidency dismissed claims of secret alterations, insisting that no amount of opposition would stop the implementation of the reforms.

The tax laws have also attracted criticism from prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, both of whom have called for the suspension of their implementation pending clarification of the disputed provisions.

culled from punch.