Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Federal Government of committing what he described as an act of treason against Nigeria and its people over the alleged forgery and illegal alteration of the country’s tax reform law. Atiku said changes were allegedly made to the law after it was passed by the National Assembly, without proper approval, in violation of the Constitution.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claimed that key provisions were secretly inserted into the tax legislation after lawmakers had concluded their work. He warned that such actions, if true, threaten Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law.
According to Atiku, the alleged alterations undermine the authority of the National Assembly and the principle of separation of powers. He said lawmaking is the responsibility of the legislature and that no arm of government has the right to change laws outside the process provided by the Constitution.
“This is a direct assault on our constitutional democracy,” Atiku said. “What the National Assembly did not pass cannot become law.”
The tax reform law, which is expected to take effect from January 1, 2026, is part of the economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The government has argued that the reforms are necessary to improve revenue generation, reduce borrowing, and strengthen public finances.
Nigeria has faced serious economic challenges in recent years, including high inflation, rising debt, unemployment, and a shrinking revenue base. The Federal Government has repeatedly said tax reforms are needed to fund infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.
However, the proposed tax changes have also raised concerns among businesses, labour unions, and civil society groups, who fear that increased taxes and stricter enforcement could worsen the hardship faced by citizens.
Atiku alleged that after the National Assembly passed the tax bills, new and far-reaching powers were added without legislative approval. He said these changes violate Sections 4 and 58 of the 1999 Constitution, which clearly outline how laws are made and approved in Nigeria.
One of the major concerns raised by Atiku is the alleged granting of new enforcement powers to tax authorities. According to him, these include powers to arrest citizens, seize property, and conduct enforcement sales without court orders or judicial oversight.
“These provisions turn tax officials into quasi-law enforcement agents and remove the due process protections that lawmakers deliberately included,” he said.
He also accused the government of increasing the financial burden on Nigerians through the alleged changes. Among the points he listed are a mandatory 20 per cent security deposit before taxpayers can appeal assessments, the introduction of compound interest on tax debts, and stricter reporting requirements for businesses.
Atiku said these measures would make it difficult for ordinary Nigerians and small businesses to challenge unfair tax assessments, especially at a time when many are struggling to survive.
Another major issue raised in Atiku’s statement is the alleged removal of accountability and oversight mechanisms. He claimed that provisions requiring regular reporting to the National Assembly were deleted, along with rules that ensured ministerial supervision and strategic planning.
By removing these safeguards, Atiku argued, the government has expanded its powers while shielding itself from accountability.
“This is a dangerous trend,” he said. “A government that removes oversight while increasing its powers is moving in the direction of authoritarian rule.”
Atiku linked the alleged illegal changes to the wider economic situation in the country. He said Nigeria’s high poverty rate, unemployment, and rising cost of living make it wrong to impose tougher tax measures on citizens.
He accused the government of focusing on extracting revenue from struggling Nigerians instead of creating policies that would help them grow and prosper.
According to him, true economic growth comes from empowering citizens through investment in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation, not through what he described as punitive taxation.
Many Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions to the controversy. Some agree with Atiku’s concerns, saying transparency and due process must be followed in lawmaking. Others argue that tax reforms are necessary, but insist they must be fair and properly debated.
In his statement, Atiku made several demands. He called on the Executive to immediately suspend the implementation of the tax law to allow for a full investigation into the alleged alterations.
He also urged the National Assembly to review the law, correct any illegal changes, and hold those responsible accountable. According to him, lawmakers must defend their constitutional role and protect Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku further called on the Judiciary to strike down any unconstitutional provisions and reaffirm the importance of the legislative process. He appealed to civil society groups and Nigerians to speak out against what he described as an attack on democratic principles.
In addition, he asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the alleged illegal alteration of the law.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has not officially responded to Atiku’s allegations. The Presidency and relevant ministries are yet to issue statements clarifying whether any changes were made after the National Assembly passed the tax bills.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around governance, transparency, and economic policy in Nigeria. With many Nigerians already feeling the pressure of reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate changes, tax policy remains a sensitive issue.