Atiku says FG’s altering tax laws, act of “treason”

Former Vice President and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has launched a severe accusation against the government, claiming it illegally modified major tax reform laws after they were passed by the National Assembly.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku described the alleged alterations as a “grave constitutional violation” and a “brazen act of treason against the Nigerian people.”

He asserts that the executive arm inserted new, unauthorized provisions into the tax bills after parliamentary approval, violating constitutional procedures.

The changes, he claims, grant tax authorities sweeping coercive powers—such as arrest, property seizure, and enforcement sales without court orders—that were not approved by lawmakers.

Atiku argues this strips away due process protections originally included by the legislature.

He further alleged that the revised laws impose heavier financial burdens, including a mandatory 20% security deposit for tax appeals, compound interest on debts, and compulsory dollar-based computations for petroleum operations.

These measures, he says, create barriers for citizens and increase costs for struggling businesses.

Atiku also accused the government of removing key oversight mechanisms, like mandatory reporting to the National Assembly and ministerial supervision, thereby insulating itself from accountability.

He warned these actions reflect “a hallmark of authoritarian governance.”

Calling for immediate action, Atiku demanded the suspension of the laws—set to take effect in January 2026—pending a full investigation.

He urged the National Assembly to rectify the alterations, called on the judiciary to strike down unconstitutional provisions, and requested the EFCC to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

President Bola Tinubu signed the four tax reform bills into law in June 2025, aiming to modernize Nigeria’s tax system and replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

However, the reforms face growing resistance, with allegations that the gazetted versions differ from what lawmakers passed.

The House of Representatives has established a committee to investigate the forgery claims.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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