Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the alleged unauthorized changes made to Nigeria’s new tax laws, describing them as a “brazen act of treason against the Nigerian people” and a direct attack on the country’s constitutional democracy.
Atiku’s statement, released on Tuesday, came amid widespread outrage over discrepancies between the tax bills passed by the National Assembly and the versions gazetted by the Presidency. He accused the executive branch of overstepping its authority and undermining the principle of legislative supremacy in lawmaking.
He detailed several illegal insertions allegedly made by the Presidency after parliamentary approval, which violate Sections 4 and 58 of the 1999 Constitution. These include:
New Coercive Powers Without Legislative Consent:
Arrest powers granted to tax authorities
Property seizure and garnishment without court orders
Enforcement sales conducted without judicial oversight
Increased Financial Burdens on Citizens:
Mandatory 20% security deposit before appealing tax assessments
Compound interest on tax debts
Quarterly reporting requirements with lowered thresholds
Forced USD computation for petroleum operations
Atiku warned that these changes turn tax collectors into quasi-law enforcement agencies, stripping Nigerians of due process protections and increasing financial barriers for ordinary citizens and businesses.
He criticized the government for focusing on aggressive tax extraction rather than investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment that would naturally grow the tax base. Highlighting Nigeria’s high poverty and unemployment rates, Atiku argued that true economic growth comes from empowering citizens, not punishing them with harsh taxation.
Calling for urgent action, Atiku demanded:
Immediate suspension of the tax law’s implementation starting January 1, 2026, to allow for investigation
The National Assembly to rectify the illegal alterations and hold those responsible accountable
The Judiciary to strike down unconstitutional provisions and uphold legislative sanctity
Civil society and Nigerians to reject this assault on democracy and demand governance that serves the people
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute those involved in the illegal changes
Atiku concluded by emphasizing that “what the National Assembly did not pass cannot become law,” warning that ignoring this principle risks undermining constitutional safeguards and allowing arbitrary rule.
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