The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate suspension of the Tinubu administration’s controversial tax laws, which are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
This demand follows revelations that the final version of the law contains significant forgery, with provisions not included in the original bill passed by the National Assembly.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC warned that tampering with legislation after it has been passed by the National Assembly signals President Tinubu’s desire to centralize power in his hands.
The opposition party urged the immediate suspension of the tax laws to allow the legislature to investigate the extent of the forgery and take corrective measures.
Additionally, the ADC called for a public inquiry to examine the circumstances surrounding the criminal alterations and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The statement highlighted that a forensic review by the ADC revealed that key accountability provisions were removed, and new clauses were inserted granting the executive coercive powers without judicial oversight. For example, the altered laws reportedly empower the government to arrest individuals and seize property for non-compliance with tax regulations.
The ADC expressed its opposition to tax reforms that would worsen the hardships faced by citizens and businesses but emphasized that the issue transcends taxation. It reflects a government with a “criminal mindset” that disregards democratic institutions to pursue a narrow agenda.
The party condemned the alteration of legislation after approval by Nigeria’s 469 elected representatives as a direct assault on constitutional governance. It warned that allowing the executive to modify laws post legislature approval undermines the separation of powers and poses a grave threat to democracy.
The ADC called for an immediate suspension of all 2025 tax laws signed by President Tinubu pending full legislative review and a thorough investigation and prosecution of any government officials involved in the forgery.
The party stressed that only the legislature has the constitutional authority to make laws, and any changes made by the executive after legislative approval are unconstitutional and dangerous to Nigeria’s democratic framework.
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