APC Senator Urges Tinubu to Suspend Tax Act Implementation Over Forgery Allegations

Abuja – Former Senate Leader and All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the newly passed Tax Act, citing allegations of forgery and discrepancies in the version signed into law

Ejes Gist News reports that the controversy erupted after a member of the House of Representatives claimed that the version of the Tax Act passed by the National Assembly differs from the one subsequently gazetted by President Tinubu.

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In response, the House of Representatives established a committee to investigate the claims, even as plans to commence implementation on January 1 remain in place.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Ndume appealed to the President to halt the planned January rollout, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the alleged alterations to the tax laws.

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“The President should verify whether the version of the law he signed was altered. Proceeding with implementation without addressing these concerns risks undermining the legitimacy of Nigeria’s tax system,” Ndume said.

Ejes Gist News gathered that Ndume’s call aligns with growing demands from politicians, civil society organisations, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to suspend the Act. Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), President of the NBA, warned that the ongoing controversy threatens the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process and urged a comprehensive inquiry.

Ndume further recommended that President Tinubu constitute an ad hoc committee to probe the alleged forgery, alongside the House of Representatives’ ongoing investigation. He stressed that failing to resolve the matter could prolong the controversy and render the law difficult to implement effectively.

He added that several stakeholders, including civil society groups, the Arewa community, and the NBA, have consistently called for the withdrawal of the Tax Act pending a proper investigation. “A small investigative committee should be established to examine the alleged forgery while the legislative inquiry continues,” Ndume noted.

The Senator’s appeal intensifies the debate surrounding the Tax Act as the January implementation deadline approaches, raising questions about the law’s legitimacy and the need for urgent resolution.