Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the federal government to suspend the implementation of Nigeria’s controversial new tax laws, warning that they are deeply flawed and risk worsening the hardship faced by citizens.
Obi argued that recent changes to the tax framework were rushed and poorly communicated, pointing to findings by global accounting firm KPMG, which reportedly identified 31 major issues ranging from drafting errors to policy contradictions and administrative gaps.
He described the situation as troubling, noting that if experts struggle to interpret the laws, ordinary Nigerians stand little chance of understanding their obligations.
According to him, taxation should function as a social contract in which citizens contribute in exchange for clear and tangible public benefits such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social protection.
He criticised what he described as a focus on revenue extraction without corresponding improvements in living conditions, especially amid rising inflation, high transport costs, and increasing poverty.
Obi also faulted the absence of broad consultations with businesses, workers, and civil society before the laws were finalised, stressing that legitimacy can only be achieved through transparency, dialogue, and consensus-building.
He warned that without trust, clarity, and visible public value, the new tax regime would feel punitive rather than reform-driven, calling on the government to listen to citizens and prioritise inclusive governance as the foundation for sustainable growth and national unity.
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