Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately halt the implementation of the newly approved tax laws and order an investigation into allegations that the legislation was altered after passage by the National Assembly.
Ndume made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, amid rising concerns from opposition figures and civil society groups over the credibility of the Tax Reform Acts, which are expected to take effect in January.
According to the senator representing Borno South, the controversy surrounding the laws could undermine public confidence if left unresolved. He urged the President to constitute a small independent committee to verify whether the version of the laws currently in circulation is consistent with what lawmakers approved.
Ndume warned that proceeding with implementation while questions remain unanswered would raise serious legitimacy issues and further fuel public distrust in the legislative process.
He stressed that suspending the laws would allow room for a transparent review of the allegations, particularly claims that the gazetted version differed from the final document transmitted to the President for assent.
The lawmaker noted that several groups, including civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association and northern interest groups, have demanded that the Federal Government withdraw the tax laws pending a thorough investigation into the alleged alterations.
Ndume added that addressing the matter promptly would help prevent a prolonged crisis, insisting that governance must be anchored on laws whose authenticity is beyond doubt.
The controversy intensified last week after a member of the House of Representatives alleged that the tax laws published by the Federal Government were not identical to those passed by the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), has also warned that the dispute poses a serious threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative system and has called for an open and credible inquiry to restore public trust.
