By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Kabiru Turaki led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the government of President Bola Tinubu of prioritising revenue over the welfare of Nigerians by refusing to suspend the commencement date of the new Tax Act amid allegations of “smuggled” provisions.
The implementation of Nigeria’s new Tax Act (specifically the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025) is scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026. The President signed the four tax reform bills into law on June 26, 2025.
In a statement issued Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party reiterated its call for an immediate suspension, pending a thorough investigation into discrepancies between the harmonised parliamentary version and the gazetted law.
“Nigerians across all walks of life have loudly voiced displeasure over the smuggling in of very dangerous provisions which were expunged earlier by Parliament. Rather than address these issues comprehensively, the Presidency has minimised them and insisted the commencement date must stand. This clearly shows where the government’s priority lies—between Nigerians and money,” the statement read.
The PDP drew parallels to the 2023 fuel subsidy removal, which it described as “recklessly announced and implemented,” causing “irreparable economic damage” to ordinary citizens.
While reminding President Tinubu that he is “an employee of the people” who won with “less than 40% of the votes,” the party urged him to listen to Nigerians as the Goodluck Jonathan administration did in 2012, when it reversed a subsidy cut following nationwide protests led by Tinubu himself.
“Obedience to laws in a democracy is linked to the belief that elected legislators approved them. A mere suspicion, let alone confirmed fact, that unapproved sections have been smuggled into a law affecting all Nigerians is sufficient reason to suspend its commencement,” the PDP argued.
The opposition party warned that proceeding without investigation would confirm “money, not the people, is the priority.”
Also note that several prominent organisations and groups have called for the suspension of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 implementation, over allegations of unauthorised insertions into the gazetted version and concerns about transparency and economic hardship.
While The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) demanded a halt and thorough probe into the discrepancies, The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warned that proceeding would exacerbate burdens on workers and the poor.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) issued an ultimatum, threatening protests if the Act is not suspended pending review. The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives urged suspension until irregularities are resolved.
Civil society coalitions, including SERAP, CISLAC, Enough is Enough Nigeria, and CHRICED, described the smuggling of provisions as a threat to democratic integrity and called for investigation before enforcement.
