The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a strong demand for an immediate and thorough investigation into what it claims are fraudulent alterations to Nigeria's recently passed tax laws. The opposition party warns that this alleged act poses a severe threat to the integrity of the country's legislative process and the foundations of democratic governance.
A Call for Legislative Integrity
In a press statement released on 18 December 2025 and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP expressed profound alarm over reported discrepancies. The party highlighted that the version of the Tax Act which was passed by the National Assembly appears to differ from the copy that was later officially gazetted.
The issue was initially raised by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives. The PDP commended his diligence and courage, noting that his intervention brought to light troubling questions. The core allegation is that "insertions and substitutions" were made to the law after parliamentary approval but before its publication, a process that bypassed the elected legislature entirely.
The PDP stated unequivocally that such an act, if proven, constitutes a criminal subversion of the legislative process. It warned that this could massively erode public trust in the laws made by their representatives. The party cautioned the leadership of the House of Representatives against treating the matter lightly or attempting to conceal it, drawing parallels to previous controversies over the national budget.
Demands for Delay and Diligence
Consequently, the PDP has made a concrete demand regarding the implementation of the new Tax Act. The law is currently scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026. The opposition party insists this commencement date must be postponed by at least six months.
The party outlined three critical reasons for this delay:
- To allow for a full and transparent investigation into the alleged anomaly.
- To ensure the publication and wide circulation of the authentic, enacted version of the law.
- To conduct extensive public enlightenment campaigns on the actual provisions of the law.
"The laws Nigerians obey must be the exact laws enacted by their representatives, not documents bearing strange provisions unknown to lawmakers," the PDP's statement emphasized.
Broader Criticisms of National Direction
Beyond the specific tax law controversy, the PDP's statement, titled "APC/Tinubu Administration: The Normalisation of Absurdity," launched a broader critique of the nation's trajectory. The party lamented Nigeria's declining standing both regionally and globally under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
The statement cited recent diplomatic setbacks, including the detention of Nigerian Air Force personnel in Burkina Faso and stricter U.S. visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens. The PDP directly linked these issues to the prevailing climate of insecurity and what it termed poor governance.
Furthermore, the party criticized President Bola Tinubu's absence from the 68th Ordinary Meeting of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, which was held in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. The PDP argued that such an action, especially when Nigeria was the host nation, projects an image of unseriousness regarding regional leadership and stability.
The opposition party concluded with an urgent plea for the Tinubu administration to refocus its priorities. It called for increased investment in critical sectors like security, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, rather than what it described as the premature empowerment of political structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
"The stakes are too high for business as usual," the PDP declared, stressing that legislative credibility, international reputation, and regional leadership are national imperatives that must rise above narrow partisan interests.
