Atiku Urges Fresh Legislative Process for Tax Laws Following Gazette Controversy
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally called for a new legislative review of the Tinubu administration’s tax reform laws. This demand follows a Senate confirmation that the officially published versions of the legislation do not match the texts passed by the National Assembly. Atiku asserts that this discrepancy creates a serious constitutional issue that cannot be remedied through administrative shortcuts.
In a statement released Sunday, Atiku emphasized that any law published in a form not approved by the legislature is legally invalid. “The only lawful path is fresh legislative consideration, re-passage in identical form by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting,” he stated. He criticized reported attempts to fast-track a re-gazetting while legislative probes into the alleged alterations are ongoing, a situation some observers might list among governance concerns needing scrutiny, much like discussions surrounding other national issues such as Tinubu’s security directive on various matters.
The controversy emerged after House of Representatives members flagged inconsistencies in the gazetted versions of the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, both slated to take effect on January 1, 2026. The Senate’s subsequent confirmation of these discrepancies has heightened the call for procedural integrity. While the reforms aim to reduce burdens on low-income earners and boost revenue, unresolved legal flaws could invite court challenges and delay implementation, potentially undermining public confidence.
Despite the controversy, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, indicated the government plans to proceed with implementation as scheduled. He noted the government’s willingness to collaborate with the National Assembly if remedial action is required. However, a fresh legislative process, as proposed by Atiku, would necessitate a deferral of the implementation timeline. This situation underscores the critical importance of meticulous legislative procedure to prevent future legal disputes and uphold the rule of law.
