Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the controversial tax reform laws ahead of its scheduled January 1, 2026, commencement.
Idam said Tinubu should suspend the implementation pending a full probe and the gazetting of the authentic version of the laws passed by the National Assembly.
He noted that allegations by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, raises a fundamental constitutional concern about the law passed by the National Assembly.
In a letter addressed to Tinubu, Idam said: “I write as a genuine advocate of good governance, constitutionalism, and accountability in Nigeria to formally demand an immediate and thorough probe into the grave allegations raised by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki.
“These allegations claim that the version of the Tax Reform Act gazetted and published after presidential assent contains material alterations when compared with the version duly debated and passed by the National Assembly.
“Given the seriousness of this claim and its implications for legislative integrity and the rule of law, it is imperative that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and clarity restored before any attempt at implementing the law.
“The disturbing alarm which was raised on 17 December 2025 on the floor of the House of Representatives has gravely undermined confidence in the tax law sought to be implemented. Even if it does not outrightly impugn the law’s genuineness, it unquestionably casts a serious shadow of doubt over the authenticity and veracity of its contents.
“Needless to say, the allegation raises a fundamental constitutional concern as to whether the law debated and passed by the National Assembly and transmitted for presidential assent is indeed the same law that was gazetted by the Clerk of the National Assembly following Your Excellency’s presidential assent.
“While the foregoing issues, together with several other unresolved questions surrounding the tax law intended to be implemented, demand urgent resolution in the interest of administrative integrity, if not the rule of law, it has become necessary to suspend the implementation of the law pending a thorough probe and the gazetting of the correct version duly passed by the National Assembly and assented to by Your Excellency before such implementation.
“Please accept my compliments of the season as I urge that wise and impartial counsel, free from political considerations or personal gain, should be permitted to prevail.”
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