Dalena Reporters l December 24, 2025
Senator Ali Ndume, representing the Borno South Senatorial District and former Senate Leader, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the implementation of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts set to take effect on January 1, 2026 amid mounting allegations that the laws were altered after passage by the National Assembly. Ndume’s appeal comes amid a widening constitutional and political controversy that has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, civil society and legal bodies.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Ndume said the President should delay the enforcement of the disputed laws to allow for a thorough investigation into claims that the versions gazetted and signed into law differ materially from what the National Assembly approved. He urged Tinubu to constitute an ad hoc committee to verify the authenticity of the legislation and probe allegations of post-passage alterations and forgery.
Ndume warned that proceeding with implementation without resolving the controversy would undermine public trust in Nigeria’s legislative process and pose serious legitimacy challenges for the new tax regime. He stressed that key stakeholders — including civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and regional groups — have also demanded the withdrawal or suspension of the tax laws pending investigative outcomes.
The controversy erupted after a member of the House of Representatives raised the alarm that the version of the Tax Act passed by lawmakers did not match the copy later gazetted by the Federal Government a discrepancy critics argue may constitute an unconstitutional alteration of legislation. Calls for suspension and probes have intensified, with figures such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar labelling the alleged changes a breach of constitutional norms and urging immediate investigation and suspension of the laws.
Ndume’s intervention adds significant weight to the debate at a time when both legal experts and political actors are urging transparent resolution of the dispute before implementation begins, warning that failure to address the concerns could erode confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and rule of law.
Published by Dalena Reporters.