Pushback as more lawmakers reject gazetted tax laws

By Rilwan Muhammad with agency report

There’s growing pushback from Nigerian lawmakers and political actors against the newly gazetted tax reform laws, amid claims the versions published publicly differ from what the National Assembly actually passed. Critics say the discrepancies could undermine constitutional process and democratic norms. 

 Members of the House of Representatives have formally objected, alleging that the gazetted tax laws are not identical to the bills they approved  suggesting changes were made after legislative passage. They argue this apparent alteration threatens legislative privilege and the integrity of lawmaking. 

Lawmakers such as Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, Hon. Muhammad Bello Fagge, and Hon. Yusuf Shitu Galambi told media and parliamentary forums that key provisions in the gazetted laws differ from what was debated and passed, prompting demands for investigation and potential suspension of implementation. 

 Beyond parliamentarians, groups like the Arewa Youth Assembly and other northern voices have rejected the laws, describing the situation as “governance by ambush” and a danger to democratic accountability and public trust if discrepancies are not clarified. 

Opposition political organisations and figures have criticised the tax laws, with some alleging unauthorised insertions or deletions in the gazetted text  claims that the presidency has denied. 

The Federal Government and presidency maintain that the tax laws were duly passed and are legitimate, dismissing claims of backdoor changes as unproven and insisting the reforms will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026

 Civil society groups including SERAP have called for the publication of certified true copies of the tax bills and laws to allow comparison, and urged an independent inquiry to address the allegations of post-passage alterations. 

 If unresolved, the controversy could erode public confidence in governance, spark further political resistance, and potentially delay the implementation of what the government describes as the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades.