Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Nigerian government to suspend the rollout of the recently amended tax legislation, citing numerous inconsistencies and potential risks to citizens.
In a detailed statement shared on his official Twitter account on Tuesday, Obi warned that the changes to Nigeria’s tax laws were fraught with errors and contradictions, highlighting findings from global accounting firm KPMG, which identified 31 critical problem areas.
These included drafting mistakes, policy contradictions, and administrative gaps.
“It is now undeniable that the tax laws have been fundamentally altered, and even a firm as esteemed as KPMG has pinpointed 31 critical problem areas.
“This revelation should prompt every responsible government to take immediate action, ” Obi said.
He criticised the lack of transparency in the review process, noting that the issues were only raised during private discussions between KPMG and the National Revenue Service.
“If experts require closed-door discussions to navigate the complexities of our tax laws, what hope does the average Nigerian have of comprehending the obligations being imposed on them?” Obi asked.
Framing taxation as a social contract, Obi emphasised that tax laws should benefit citizens rather than merely extract revenue.
“Globally, tax policies are justified by delivering tangible benefits to citizens: improved healthcare, better educational systems, job opportunities, infrastructure development, and social safety nets.
”In Nigeria, the narrative is all about how much more the government seeks to extract, rather than what it is prepared to offer in return,” he said, describing the current system as “extortion” in the absence of clear public value.
Obi also lamented the absence of public consultation, arguing that ordinary Nigerians were left uninformed about the law and its implications.
“Typically, months, if not years, are dedicated to consulting with businesses, workers, and civil society before tax drafts are presented for public discussion.
”Yet in Nigeria, we have seen no such process,” he noted.
He warned that implementing the new tax regime could exacerbate economic hardship.
“Even after the removal of subsidies, Nigerians remain in limbo, facing soaring food prices, rising transport costs, dwindling purchasing power, and increasing poverty levels.
“Before we have even begun to address these issues, we are being thrust into an expansive new tax regime riddled with inconsistencies.
”This is not responsible governance, ” he said.
Obi urged the government to adopt a more consultative and transparent approach.
“Nigeria cannot afford to place further burdens on its already struggling citizens.
”What we need is a government that listens, communicates effectively, and prioritises building national consensus.
”A New Nigeria is not just a possibility; it is an imperative,” he asserted.
Obi’s comments come amid growing public concern over the amended tax laws and their potential impact on households and businesses across the country.
