House Minority Caucus Demands Tax Reforms Suspension

By Angel Ike

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has opposed the implementation of the newly enacted tax reform laws, demanding an immediate suspension of their rollout.

The National Association of Nigerian Students has also called for an immediate suspension, while a Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered an accelerated hearing in a suit challenging the authenticity and proposed commencement of the legislation on January 1, 2026.

The Minority Caucus raised concerns over allegations that versions of the tax laws gazette by the Federal Government differ from those passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu.

They urged the Federal Government to suspend implementation of the tax reform laws to allow investigation into the alleged unlawful alterations, warning that enforcing them under such circumstances would amount to a constitutional violation.

Recall that the issue was raised at a House plenary two weeks ago by Abdussamad Dasuki, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State.

He informed the House that the tax Acts passed by lawmakers were not the same as the copies later gazetted by the Federal Government without legislative approval.

Following his motion, the House constituted a seven-man ad hoc committee, chaired by Muktar Betara (representing Borno State), to investigate the allegations and report back for further legislative action.

In a statement issued on Monday and jointly signed by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip Ali Isa-Jesse, Deputy Minority Leader Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, the caucus said suspending implementation was necessary to allow the Betara-led committee to complete its assignment.

They called on Nigerians to disregard any purported tax laws being circulated without the signature of the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA) and the President and Commander-in-Chief, insisting such versions did not originate from the National Assembly.