President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing renewed political pressure following accusations of tampering with Nigeria’s recently enacted tax laws.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has issued a stern warning that the president could be impeached if found involved in what they describe as unlawful changes to legislation passed by the National Assembly.
The opposition party raised concerns on Monday, highlighting that the controversy threatens constitutional governance and goes beyond mere policy disagreements. According to the PRP, the issue strikes at the heart of the lawmaking process and the separation of powers.
In a statement signed by National Chairman Falalu Bello, the PRP accused the executive branch of interfering with tax bills after their approval by lawmakers.
The party said, “The Peoples Redemption Party (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 PRP referred to claims from a House of Representatives member alleging that certain bills were altered without legislative consent. They said this “showed that the executive arm has clandestinely altered bills after passage by the National Assembly without legislative approval.”
Describing the situation as dangerous, the PRP warned that such actions could weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions. They called the alleged interference “a dangerous pattern of executive impunity that threatens the very foundations of Nigeria’s democracy and due process.”
The party also alleged that key provisions were changed after passage, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability. “This audacious act of executive dishonesty, characterized by the insertion, deletion, and modification of substantive provisions post-passage legislation, underscores a reckless disdain for the rule of law, separation of powers, and the constitutional order,” the PRP stated.
Condemning the conduct, the PRP said it was more than a procedural error, calling it “a direct attack on the independence of the legislature and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to transparent and accountable governance.”
The PRP demanded a full investigation to identify and punish those responsible. “In light of these grave developments, the PRP calls for a comprehensive and transparent investigation of these alterations and additions to the already passed Act of Parliament to identify and punish all those responsible for this egregious misconduct,” the statement said.
The party also warned that if President Tinubu is implicated, impeachment proceedings should follow immediately. “If evidence emerges implicating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in these illegal manipulations, the PRP calls for his impeachment without delay. No individual, including the President, should be above the law.”
The PRP further called for the suspension of the disputed tax laws until all conflicts between the National Assembly’s passed laws and the gazetted versions are resolved. “Furthermore, we demand the immediate suspension of the implementation of the disputed tax laws until all discrepancies, particularly the conflicts between the laws passed by the National Assembly and those gazette, are thoroughly examined, resolved, and rectified.”
The party also signaled readiness to pursue legal action if the matter is ignored. “Should this matter not be addressed promptly, the PRP will have no choice but to seek judicial intervention,” the statement warned.
Highlighting the broader impact, the PRP cautioned that continuing to enforce the disputed laws could damage public trust and economic stability. “The PRP emphasizes that the rule of law and constitutional integrity must take precedence. Until these issues are resolved, the suspension of the tax laws is imperative to prevent further damage to Nigeria’s democratic fabric and economic stability.”
The PRP concluded by urging Nigerians and state institutions to resist any constitutional breaches, affirming, “The PRP affirms that no government, regardless of political inclination, is above the law.”
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