The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Tanimu Turaki, has called for a full-scale investigation into claims that two different versions of the newly enacted Tax Act are currently in circulation, creating uncertainty for those charged with implementing the law.
The party based its demand on allegations raised by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, who claimed that the version of the Tax Act passed by the National Assembly differs from the one later gazetted by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the allegation as grave and warned against treating it with what it called the administration’s habitual indifference to serious governance issues.
According to the party, Nigerians deserve a clear explanation of how alleged insertions and substitutions found their way into the gazetted version of the law, stressing that such actions, if proven, amount to a criminal distortion of the legislative process.
The PDP cautioned the leadership of the House of Representatives against ignoring the matter, noting that unresolved discrepancies in legislation could seriously undermine public confidence in parliamentary enactments.
The party said citizens must be assured that the laws they are required to obey are validly enacted by their elected representatives, and not altered versions containing provisions unfamiliar to lawmakers.
As part of its demands, the PDP urged the Federal Government to postpone the planned commencement of the Tax Act, scheduled for January 6, 2026, by at least six months to allow for a thorough investigation, proper publication of the authentic version of the law, and adequate public sensitisation.
Ememobong commended Dasuki for what he described as diligence and courage in raising the issue, adding that sufficient time must be given to clarify the controversy and educate Nigerians on the provisions of the new tax regime.
Beyond the tax law controversy, the PDP also raised concerns about what it described as Nigeria’s declining influence in regional and global affairs under the current administration.
The party cited recent diplomatic incidents, including the detention of Nigerian Air Force personnel and aircraft in Burkina Faso, which it said only ended after high-level diplomatic intervention, despite initial official denials.
It also referenced recent announcements by the United States government introducing stricter visa restrictions for Nigerians, attributing the development to worsening insecurity and weak governance, particularly in the northern part of the country.
According to the PDP, the developments reflect a historic low point for Nigeria’s international standing, arguing that even during periods of military rule, such treatment was not meted out to the country.
The party further criticised what it described as the administration’s focus on political distractions rather than substantive governance, alleging that security challenges are often politicised instead of being addressed comprehensively.
It also pointed to a decline in Nigeria’s military ranking, citing the Global Firepower Report 2024, which placed the country 39th, down from 36th in 2023.
Additionally, the PDP expressed disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s absence at the recent 68th Ordinary Meeting of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held in Abuja, noting that his non-attendance, despite Nigeria being the host nation, diminished the country’s regional leadership image.
While acknowledging the President’s right to delegate representation, the party argued that attending a political event shortly after the ECOWAS meeting sent the wrong signal about Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability.
The PDP concluded that such actions collectively contribute to what it described as a growing perception of diminished respect for Nigeria on the global stage, urging the government to refocus its priorities on governance, security, and institutional integrity.
