With just 48 hours remaining before the scheduled implementation of Nigeria’s new tax reforms, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called for the suspension of the tax laws, until the probe is finalized.
The statement issued on Sunday, December 28, was a joint effort by the leadership of the opposition including minority leader, Kingsley Chinda, minority whip, Ali Isa J.C, deputy minority leader, Aliyu Madaki, and deputy minority whip, George Ozodinobi.
The caucus, led by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, alleges that the versions of the tax laws currently being gazetted and circulated to the public were fraudulently altered after being passed by the National Assembly.
Any attempt to foist fake laws on Nigerians is an attack on the independence and constitutional role of the National Assembly… We call on the government to suspend the implementation of the tax laws until investigations are concluded and there is clarity and certainty of the law to be implemented – Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader
The demand follows the inauguration of an investigative committee by the House to determine how discrepancies entered the final legal documents signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The caucus has urged Nigerians, especially the business community to disregard any tax documents that do not bear the authentic signatures of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) and the President.
The caucus described the situation as an attack on the independence of the Legislature and a threat to democracy.
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