The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked for the immediate suspension of the new tax laws introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which are expected to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The party says its call follows findings that the final version of the tax laws contains major changes that were never approved by the National Assembly.
According to the ADC, some provisions were allegedly added or removed after lawmakers had already passed the bills.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party warned that altering laws after they have been passed by parliament is a serious threat to democracy.
It accused President Tinubu of attempting to gather excessive powers in the hands of the executive.
The ADC said lawmakers should immediately step in to review the laws and determine how the alleged changes were made.
It also demanded that the tax laws be suspended until the National Assembly completes a full investigation and corrects any irregularities.
“The ADC therefore calls for immediate suspension of all the 2025 tax laws that has been signed by President Bola Tinubu to allow for a full legislative review.
“This is the only reasonable course of action if we must not give the dangerous impression that the principle of separation of power enshrined in our constitution could be sidestepped by the President.”
The party further called for a public inquiry to uncover how the alleged alterations happened and to ensure that anyone involved is prosecuted.
According to the ADC, a detailed comparison between the original bills passed by lawmakers and the versions published in the official government gazette showed clear differences.
It claimed that important accountability clauses were removed, while new sections were added to give the executive sweeping powers to enforce the tax laws without court approval.
One of the alleged additions, the party said, allows the government to arrest individuals and seize property over tax-related issues.
The ADC stressed that it has always opposed tax policies that could worsen the hardship faced by citizens and businesses.
However, it said the current issue goes beyond taxation and touches on respect for democratic institutions.
The party described the alleged changes as an attack on constitutional order, warning that allowing the executive to alter laws passed by elected representatives would undermine the separation of powers.
It maintained that only the legislature has the authority to make laws under the Nigerian Constitution and warned that any law not passed through proper constitutional procedures should not stand.
The ADC called for the suspension of all tax laws signed in 2025, a full legislative review, and the prosecution of any government official found guilty of tampering with the law.
