By Onyeanya Immaculata
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned against any fast-tracked re-gazetting of Nigeria’s tax laws, warning that it could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.
Atiku’s warning follows concerns by lawmakers over alleged discrepancies between the tax reform Acts passed by the National Assembly and versions circulating at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Legislators, including Abdussamad Dasuki, have argued that the differences pose legal and constitutional risks.
While the Federal Government has denied any wrongdoing and insisted the laws will take effect on January 1, 2026, the National Assembly has directed its Clerk to re-gazette the Acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions passed by both chambers.
In a statement on X, Atiku described the situation as a “grave constitutional issue,” stressing that gazetting is an administrative act that cannot amend or create law.
He warned that any alteration of a bill after passage without legislative approval amounts to forgery, not a clerical error.
Atiku said rushing re-gazetting without fresh legislative consideration and presidential assent would weaken the integrity of the lawmaking process, adding that his position was a defence of the constitution, not opposition to tax reform.
