Tinubu Signed Tax Laws Not Passed By National Assembly, Ndume Insists

Former Senate Chief Whip and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has insisted that the new tax laws recently signed by President Bola Tinubu are fundamentally different from the versions passed by the National Assembly.

Ndume made the claims during an interview on Arise Television, describing the development as a serious threat to legislative integrity and democratic governance.

THE WHISTLER reports that on June 26, 2025, President Tinubu assented to four major tax reform bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, which took effect from January 1, 2026.

The laws were part of a broad reform agenda driven by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, aimed at improving revenue oversight, streamlining tax administration, and aligning Nigeria’s tax system with global best practices.

However, Ndume described the laws as “faulty,” insisting that what lawmakers approved was not what the President eventually signed.

“Even the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform admitted there are different versions. My concern is not just the discrepancies, but the secrecy.

“This is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Why hide anything?” Ndume said.

He stressed that the matter goes beyond technical errors, accusing the executive arm of undermining transparency and public trust.

He also revealed that the House of Representatives has already commenced an investigation into the issue.

“There are discrepancies. What we passed is not what the President signed. This is not something that can be buried. You cannot build on disputed ground,” he warned.

He rejected arguments suggesting that controversial sections of the law could simply be ignored or selectively implemented.

“Laws are not implemented discretionarily. Once you pass a law, you have no right to add to it or remove from it as it is passed by the National Assembly.

“These things being taken lightly make it seem like Nigerians are being taken lightly,” he said.

He further criticised the growing arrogance among some government policy officials, noting that Nigerians are deeply frustrated by the erosion of trust in governance.

“Nigerians are not against tax. The problem is trust. The system has lost public confidence, yet taxes are being imposed arrogantly without proper explanation. The President is a servant of the people; Nigerians are not servants of the President,” Ndume stated.

Turning to politics, Ndume warned that the rising discontent in Northern Nigeria could have significant implications for the 2027 general elections if left unaddressed.

“Anybody who tells you that the North is not grumbling is not speaking the truth. And that grumbling will be loud in their votes if nothing is done,” he cautioned.

“Declaring victory will not work. You only win when the people accept you. If things don’t change, how can you expect people to vote for you?” he asked.

However, Ndume maintained that President Tinubu still has an opportunity to reverse public dissatisfaction and regain trust because “Nigerians are forgiving people”.

“If security improves and people can travel freely without fear, Nigerians will have no reason to change leadership,” he said.

However, he argued that the President was not the problem but those around him, alleging that many capable people had been sidelined and that key decisions were being taken by individuals who lacked a proper understanding of Nigeria.

According to him, some of such actions were embarrassing to both the President and the country warning that public patience has limits.

“If things remain the way they are and people are unhappy, resistance may come through votes, political realignment, or other means. We have seen it before, even in other countries,” Ndume said.