Tax laws: Northern coalition condemns alleged alterations

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly condemned what it described as a treasonable subversion of Nigeria’s democratic order following allegations that key provisions of the recently gazetted tax reform laws were altered after their passage by the National Assembly.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the coalition warned that the alleged changes amount to an executive usurpation of legislative powers and an assault on constitutional governance. 

The group called for the immediate suspension of the implementation of the tax laws, a comprehensive investigation, and the prosecution of all individuals involved in the alleged alterations.

The CNG expressed concern that tax reform bills which were duly debated, subjected to public hearings, and passed by the legislature were allegedly doctored, rewritten, and gazetted as law by what it termed criminal-minded individuals. 

According to the coalition, the development represents a brazen act of treacherous expropriation of constitutional authority by elements within the executive arm of government.

Describing the situation as an executive coup against the National Assembly, the group said the alleged manipulation of the laws constitutes fraud, an economic ambush on citizens, and a direct attack on democracy and the principle of separation of powers.

The coalition cited concerns raised by constitutional lawyer, Prof. Auwal Yadudu, warning that such actions undermine constitutional governance and erode public confidence in the tax reform process.

Detailing what it described as alarming alterations, the CNG claimed that a review of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act revealed significant discrepancies between the version passed by lawmakers and the gazetted law. 

Among the issues raised were the alleged deletion of provisions on Petroleum Income Tax and Value Added Tax in Section 3(1)(b), changes to Section 39(3) imposing the US dollar as the exclusive currency for tax computation, and the introduction of a new Section 41(8) requiring taxpayers to deposit 20 per cent of disputed assessments before accessing the right of appeal.

The group also alleged that Section 60(1) of the gazetted law grants tax authorities garnishee powers without court orders, while Sections 60(4) and 60(5) selectively require court orders for some authorities, a move it described as inconsistent and never approved by the National Assembly.

According to the CNG, these were not minor editorial changes but substantive rewrites that may represent only a fraction of broader alterations across the four tax reform Acts.

The coalition further accused the tax reform agenda of being driven by what it termed a neo-colonial and IMF-inspired economic project designed to satisfy external institutions at the expense of Nigerians. 

It pointed to a recent memorandum of understanding between the Federal Inland Revenue Service and a French tax agency as reinforcing concerns about foreign influence and lack of transparency.

The CNG demanded the immediate suspension of the implementation of all tax reform Acts, including the proposed January 1, 2026 commencement date. 

It also called on both chambers of the National Assembly to conduct a full, independent and time-bound investigation, including a clause-by-clause comparison of the versions passed by lawmakers and those gazetted and assented to.

Charanchi warned that failure to act decisively would deepen public mistrust, trigger prolonged constitutional litigation, destabilise the economy and set a dangerous precedent. 

He added that Nigerians should not be compelled to comply with fiscal obligations arising from laws allegedly tainted by secrecy and constitutional illegitimacy.

“Democracy cannot survive where due process is sacrificed on the altar of executive arrogance,” the statement said, insisting that transparency and accountability must prevail to protect Nigeria’s democratic order.

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