By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to stop the implementation of the newly enacted tax laws, citing ongoing allegations of unlawful alterations to the versions passed by the National Assembly.
The call follows comments by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, who last week insisted that the implementation date of January 1, 2026, for the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act remains unchanged.
FG Defends January 2026 Implementation Date
Speaking after a meeting attended by the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacchaeus Adedeji, and the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Joseph Tegbe, Oyedele said the reforms were designed to ease the financial burden on Nigerians.
According to him:
- 98% of workers will pay either no PAYE tax or reduced taxes
- 97% of small businesses will be exempted from Company Income Tax, VAT, and Withholding Tax
- Large businesses will also experience a reduction in tax obligations
“The whole idea is to promote economic growth, inclusivity, and shared prosperity for our people,” Oyedele stated.
He, however, welcomed the intervention of the National Assembly, assuring that the Federal Government is willing to work with lawmakers to address concerns raised by Nigerians, including opposition figures.
Minority Caucus Calls for Suspension Pending Investigation
But in a joint statement on Monday signed by:
- Rep. O.K. Chinda, Minority Leader
- Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C, Minority Whip
- Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, Deputy Minority Leader
- Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, Deputy Minority Whip
The caucus urged the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the tax laws until investigations into the alleged alterations are concluded.
“We call on the government to suspend the implementation of the tax laws until investigations are concluded and there is clarity and certainty on the law to be implemented,” the statement said.
The lawmakers stressed that Nigerians and the business community are entitled to access authentic copies of the laws they are expected to obey.
Allegations of Unlawful Alteration
The caucus expressed deep concern over allegations that the tax laws, though duly passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu, were subsequently altered before being gazetted and circulated.
They disclosed that a member of the House raised the issue during plenary, prompting the inauguration of a high-powered investigative committee to probe claims that the laws were fraudulently altered.
The Minority Caucus pledged to support the House in ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the alleged illegality are fully exposed and that those responsible are held accountable.
National Assembly as Custodian of Authentic Laws
The statement emphasized that the National Assembly remains the custodian of genuine legislative documents, noting that gazetting procedures require the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) to transmit authenticated copies to the relevant federal agencies.
The caucus urged Nigerians to disregard any purported tax laws lacking the signatures of the CNA and the President, warning that such documents did not originate from the National Assembly.
“Any attempt to foist fake laws on Nigerians is an attack on the independence and constitutional role of the National Assembly,” the statement added, assuring that the caucus would continue to protect the legislature and Nigeria’s democracy.
