Calls for the immediate suspension of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws are intensifying as lawmakers, opposition parties, and civil society organisations raise concerns over alleged post-passage alterations to the legislation.
Members of the say discrepancies have emerged between the versions of the tax bills debated and approved by lawmakers and the copies later gazetted for implementation. The controversy has sparked fears that provisions may have been modified without legislative approval, potentially undermining due process and constitutional safeguards.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have formally raised the alarm, insisting that any changes made after passage must be explained and reversed. In response, the Speaker of the House, , has constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the claims and report back to the chamber.
Opposition parties and civic groups have joined the chorus, demanding a halt to implementation pending the outcome of the probe. They argue that enforcing laws whose authenticity is in question could expose the government to legal challenges and erode public trust. Some critics also warn that the disputed provisions could expand executive or tax authority powers beyond what lawmakers originally approved.
The tax reforms—designed to overhaul revenue administration and improve efficiency—are a key part of the fiscal agenda of President . However, the Presidency has yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations, fueling further speculation and public debate.
As pressure mounts, analysts say the credibility of the legislative process is at stake. Stakeholders are urging transparency, calling for the officially gazetted laws to be reconciled with the versions passed by parliament before any enforcement proceeds. Until then, the demand remains clear: suspend implementation, clarify the record, and restore confidence in the law-making process.