Atiku Accuses Presidency of Forging Tinubu’s Tax Reform Law, Calls It Treason Against Nigerians

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of illegally altering Nigeria’s tax reform law after it was passed by the National Assembly, describing the alleged act as treasonous and a direct attack on the country’s constitutional democracy.

 

In a strongly worded public statement issued on December 23, 2025, Atiku alleged that substantive provisions were inserted into the tax legislation without legislative approval, in violation of the 1999 Constitution. He warned that allowing such actions to stand would undermine the rule of law and weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

 

Ejes Gist News reports that Atiku anchored his claims on Sections 4 and 58 of the Constitution, which vest law-making authority exclusively in the National Assembly and outline the strict procedure through which bills become law following presidential assent.

Allegations of Post-Passage Alterations

According to the former vice president, the version of the tax reform law currently in circulation contains provisions that were not debated or approved by lawmakers before transmission for presidential assent.

He argued that any modification of a bill after passage by the National Assembly amounts to forgery and renders such provisions unconstitutional and invalid under Nigerian law.

Atiku described the alleged alterations as a “brazen assault” on legislative supremacy and accused the executive arm of overreach aimed at expanding state power at the expense of citizens’ rights.

Claims of Expanded Enforcement Powers

One of the central issues raised in the statement is the alleged expansion of enforcement powers granted to tax authorities.

Atiku claimed that the enacted law now includes provisions empowering tax officials to carry out arrests, seize property, garnish assets, and conduct enforcement sales without court orders or judicial oversight.

He argued that these powers were not part of the bill approved by the National Assembly and that their inclusion effectively transforms tax authorities into quasi-law enforcement agencies.

According to him, such measures strip Nigerians of due process protections deliberately preserved during legislative deliberations and expose citizens to abuse of power.

Alleged Increase in Financial Burdens

The former vice president also alleged that the law was altered to impose additional financial obligations on individuals and businesses.

He listed provisions requiring taxpayers to deposit 20 percent of disputed assessments before filing appeals, the application of compound interest on tax debts, and expanded quarterly reporting requirements with lower thresholds.

Atiku further claimed that the law mandates United States dollar-based computation for petroleum operations, a move he said could increase compliance costs and financial exposure for operators in the sector.

He warned that these measures could prevent ordinary Nigerians from challenging unfair tax assessments while worsening the operating environment for businesses already grappling with economic hardship.

Removal of Oversight and Accountability Provisions

Another major concern raised relates to alleged deletions of accountability mechanisms previously included by lawmakers.

Atiku claimed that the enacted version of the law removed provisions requiring quarterly and annual reports to the National Assembly, eliminated strategic planning submission obligations, and stripped away ministerial supervisory roles over tax agencies.

He argued that the removal of these safeguards weakens institutional oversight and concentrates excessive authority within the executive branch.

According to him, expanding state power while dismantling checks and balances reflects authoritarian tendencies inconsistent with constitutional democracy.

Broader Economic and Governance Criticism

Beyond the legal allegations, Atiku linked the disputed tax law to Nigeria’s broader economic challenges.

He argued that the government is prioritising aggressive revenue extraction over policies that support economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.

The former vice president cited persistently high poverty levels, widespread unemployment, and inflationary pressures as evidence that Nigerians are already under severe economic strain.

He maintained that sustainable tax revenue should come from empowering citizens and businesses to thrive, rather than imposing punitive measures that erode purchasing power and weaken legal protections.

Atiku Calls for Immediate Action

In the statement, Atiku issued a series of demands to key institutions of state.

He called on the executive branch to immediately suspend implementation of the tax reform law, which is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, to allow for a full investigation into the alleged alterations.

How to Get Your TIN, Verify Your TIN, and Submit It to Your Bank in Nigeria

 

He urged the National Assembly to review the law, reverse any illegal changes through proper legislative processes, and hold those responsible for the alleged constitutional breach accountable.

Atiku also appealed to the judiciary to strike down any unconstitutional provisions and reaffirm the sanctity of the legislative process.

In addition, he called on civil society organisations and Nigerians at large to resist what he described as an assault on democratic principles and demand governance that prioritises the welfare of citizens.

 

EFCC Urged to Investigate

The former vice president further called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute individuals found culpable in the alleged illegal alteration of the law.

He argued that tampering with duly passed legislation to impose financial burdens on citizens amounts to extortion and fraud against the Nigerian people.

Atiku stressed that “what the National Assembly did not pass cannot become law,” warning that failure to defend this principle could lead to arbitrary governance where constitutional safeguards lose meaning.

 

Government Yet to Respond

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the National Assembly had not issued official responses to Atiku’s allegations.

 

The tax reform law is a key component of the Tinubu administration’s fiscal policy agenda, aimed at boosting revenue and restructuring Nigeria’s tax system.

 

If the allegations of post-passage alterations are substantiated, they could raise serious legal and constitutional questions about the validity of the law and the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process.

 

The claims have added to ongoing national debate over tax policy, executive authority, and adherence to constitutional procedures, with calls mounting for transparency and institutional clarification.