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Breaking News: Atiku, NBA Tells Govt To Halt New Tax Laws Over Alleged Alteration
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar have asked the Federal Government to stop the implementation of the new Tax Reform Acts, following claims that the laws were altered after they were passed by the National Assembly.
In a statement on Tuesday, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), said the controversy around the tax laws threatens the credibility of Nigeria’s law-making process and raises serious constitutional concerns.
He called for a full and transparent investigation, stressing that public trust in the legislature must be protected.
“The Nigerian Bar Association considers it imperative that a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation be conducted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the laws and to restore public confidence in the legislative process. Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended,” Osigwe said.
The NBA warned that uncertainty caused by the dispute could scare investors, disrupt businesses, and create confusion for individuals and institutions expected to obey the new laws.
Similarly, Atiku criticised the alleged changes, describing them as a “grave assault on legislative supremacy.”
He accused the executive arm of government of adding harsh enforcement powers and heavier financial obligations without the approval of lawmakers.
According to him, some of the alleged insertions include arrest powers for tax officials, seizure of property without court orders, and enforcement actions without judicial oversight.
“These provisions transform tax collectors into quasi-law enforcement agencies, stripping Nigerians of due process protections that the National Assembly deliberately included,” Atiku said.
He also raised concerns about increased financial pressure on citizens, including a compulsory 20 per cent deposit before appealing tax assessments and tougher reporting requirements for businesses.
The controversy began after a lawmaker from Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, told the House of Representatives that the version of the tax laws signed and gazetted by the Federal Government was different from what lawmakers approved.
In response, the House set up a seven-member committee to investigate the allegation.
The tax laws are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.
Both Atiku and the NBA said the rollout should be suspended until the investigation is completed.
They urged the National Assembly to correct any illegal changes and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Atiku also called on the judiciary to strike down any unconstitutional sections and asked Nigerians and civil society groups to resist what he described as an attack on democracy.
“This draconian overreach by the executive branch undermines the foundational principle of legislative supremacy in the making of laws,” he said.
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Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
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