Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the federal government of committing an act of treason against Nigerians, alleging illegal alterations to the recently passed tax reform legislation. In a detailed statement, Atiku claimed the changes, made after parliamentary approval, violate Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and undermine legislative authority.
According to Atiku, the modifications grant tax authorities new coercive powers, including arrest and property seizure without judicial oversight, effectively turning tax collectors into quasi-law enforcement agents. He also criticized provisions that increase financial burdens on citizens, such as mandatory security deposits for tax appeals, compounded interest on tax debts, and forced quarterly reporting with lowered thresholds, particularly affecting petroleum operations.
Atiku further warned that the removal of accountability mechanisms—including reporting obligations to the National Assembly and ministerial oversight—insulates the executive from scrutiny, which he described as a hallmark of authoritarian governance. He argued that the government’s approach prioritizes extracting wealth from citizens over creating conditions for economic prosperity, at a time when poverty, unemployment, and inflation remain critical challenges.
The former vice president called for urgent action, urging the executive to suspend the law pending investigation, the National Assembly to rectify the alterations, and the judiciary to strike down unconstitutional provisions. He also appealed to civil society, Nigerians, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure accountability for those responsible for the alleged constitutional breaches.
Atiku concluded that laws not passed by the National Assembly cannot become binding and stressed the need to uphold democratic principles to prevent arbitrary governance.
