By MOHAMMED DANBABA
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has escalated political tension in Abuja, calling for the immediate suspension of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws and warning that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should face impeachment if found culpable in what it describes as alleged tax law manipulation by the executive arm of government.
The opposition party made the demand in a strongly worded press statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Chairman, Falalu Bello. According to the PRP, recent revelations suggest that tax bills duly passed by the National Assembly may have been altered without legislative approval before being gazetted and circulated, a development the party says poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Allegations of Executive Interference After Legislative Approval
At the centre of the controversy are claims by a serving member of the House of Representatives that the contents of the tax laws currently in force do not fully reflect what lawmakers debated and approved on the floor of the National Assembly.
The PRP said these claims point to unlawful executive interference in the legislative process.
“The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is deeply alarmed and condemns the blatant executive misconduct and flagrant disregard for constitutional sovereignty exhibited by the current administration in the recent manipulation of Nigeria’s tax laws,” the statement read.
According to the party, the lawmaker’s disclosure suggests that the executive arm “clandestinely altered bills after passage by the National Assembly without legislative approval,” an act it described as unconstitutional and dangerous.
‘Dangerous Pattern of Executive Impunity’
The PRP warned that the alleged alterations represent more than an administrative anomaly, describing them as part of a broader and troubling pattern of executive impunity.
The party argued that inserting, deleting, or modifying substantive provisions in legislation after parliamentary approval undermines the doctrine of separation of powers and weakens democratic accountability.
“This audacious act of executive dishonesty, characterised by the insertion, deletion, and modification of substantive provisions post-passage legislation, underscores a reckless disdain for the rule of law, separation of powers, and the constitutional order,” the statement said.
According to the PRP, such actions strike at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy and due process, while eroding public confidence in governance and lawmaking.
Attack on Legislature and Citizens’ Rights, PRP Says
Condemning the alleged actions as illegal, the PRP said the matter goes beyond party politics and directly affects the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
The party described the alleged manipulation as a direct assault on the independence of the legislature and the right of citizens to transparent, accountable governance.
“The PRP condemns this act as not only illegal but as a direct attack on the independence of the legislature and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to transparent and accountable governance,” the statement added.
It warned that allowing such practices to go unchecked would set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
Call for Comprehensive Investigation
The PRP called on relevant authorities to immediately institute a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the discrepancies between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions reportedly gazetted.
According to the party, all officials found to be involved in the alleged manipulation must be identified and held accountable.
“In light of these grave developments, the PRP calls for a comprehensive and transparent investigation of these alterations and additions to the already passed Acts of Parliament to identify and punish all those responsible for this egregious misconduct,” it stated.
The party stressed that accountability is essential to restoring confidence in Nigeria’s legislative and executive institutions.
Impeachment Threat if President Is Implicated
In one of its strongest positions yet, the PRP warned that impeachment proceedings against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should follow if evidence directly links him to the alleged tax law manipulation.
“If evidence emerges implicating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in these illegal manipulations, the PRP calls for his impeachment without delay. No individual, including the President, should be above the law,” the statement said.
The warning adds a new layer of political tension to the ongoing debate over Nigeria’s tax reform framework, which has already generated significant public and legislative scrutiny.
Demand for Immediate Suspension of Tax Laws
Central to the PRP’s demands is an immediate halt to the enforcement of the disputed tax laws. The party argued that implementing laws whose authenticity is in question could worsen legal uncertainty and economic instability.
“We demand the immediate suspension of the implementation of the disputed tax laws until all discrepancies, particularly the conflicts between the laws passed by the National Assembly and those gazetted, are thoroughly examined, resolved, and rectified,” the party said.
According to the PRP, suspending the laws is necessary to protect constitutional integrity and prevent further erosion of public trust.
Legal Action Looms, Nigerians Urged to Resist Violations
The PRP warned that it would seek judicial intervention if the matter is not addressed promptly and transparently. It also called on Nigerians, civil society groups, and democratic institutions to resist what it described as constitutional violations.
“Should this matter not be addressed promptly, the PRP will have no choice but to seek judicial intervention,” the statement warned.
Emphasising the broader implications of the controversy, the party insisted that the rule of law must take precedence over political expediency.
“The PRP affirms that no government, regardless of political inclination, is above the law,” it concluded.
As public debate over the alleged tax law manipulation intensifies, the controversy is expected to fuel deeper conversations about executive power, legislative authority, and constitutional safeguards in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
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