New tax regime fundamentally flawed – Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) has described Nigeria’s new tax laws as “fundamentally flawed” and riddled with contradictions, warning that they risk being challenged in court. Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, Ndume said the laws, as currently presented, are inconsistent and controversial, making enforcement difficult. “Nigerians are not opposed to taxation, […]

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) has described Nigeria’s new tax laws as “fundamentally flawed” and riddled with contradictions, warning that they risk being challenged in court.

Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, Ndume said the laws, as currently presented, are inconsistent and controversial, making enforcement difficult. “Nigerians are not opposed to taxation, but they want a fair and transparent system,” he said.

The senator questioned the clarity of implementation, noting that multiple versions of the laws are circulating. “It’s taking effect, but which version do they implement? If it’s not favourable, will people recognise it as law?” Ndume queried.

He expressed concern that admitted discrepancies in the tax laws have not been properly addressed. He criticised officials for dismissing these concerns, noting that the House of Representatives has initiated an investigation.

“I did extensive research, and the House of Representatives raised the matter. They didn’t deny it, and the investigation is ongoing,” he said.

Ndume emphasised the importance of transparency in legislative and policy matters, warning against decisions made behind closed doors.

He revealed that the versions passed by the National Assembly differ from those signed into law by the president.

“I was among those who identified the differences and called on leadership to address the issue. What we passed is not what the president signed,” he said.

No discrepancies in tax laws – Akpabio

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed claims that tax laws were altered after their passage by the National Assembly, insisting that the final versions signed into law fully reflect the legislature’s decisions.

Akpabio addressed the controversy during plenary on Wednesday, responding to concerns raised by Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP Sokoto), a member of the House of Representatives, who alleged discrepancies between the tax reform bills passed by lawmakers and copies later circulated to the public.

The Senate President said any document circulating outside the officially certified versions should be disregarded, as it does not represent the outcome of the National Assembly’s deliberations.

He maintained that the versions signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and gazetted are authentic and accurately capture the resolutions of both chambers.

Meanwhile, the seven-member ad-hoc committee set up by the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged discrepancies is yet to submit its report.

The committee was constituted on December 18, 2025, by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen following a motion raised by Abdussamad Dasuki from Sokoto State.

Chaired by Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara (APC, Borno), the panel was mandated to submit its findings within one week. However, the House proceeded on its Christmas and New Year recess before the deadline elapsed. At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, the committee’s report was not listed on the Order Paper.

Efforts to obtain comments from the committee chairman on the status of the investigation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.