Former Governor of Enugu State and respected elder statesman, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately launch a thorough investigation into alleged alterations made to the recently passed tax law. He described the reported differences between the version approved by the National Assembly and the one eventually gazetted as disturbing and unacceptable in a democratic system.
Nwodo, who also previously served as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warned that such inconsistencies pose a serious threat to public confidence in governance and the rule of law. He stressed that transparency and accountability must be upheld to prevent erosion of trust in democratic institutions.
Speaking on the matter, Nwodo said the issue has become a major source of concern within the PDP. He recalled that Nigerians actively engaged with the executive arm of government during consultations leading up to the passage of the tax legislation. According to him, taxation is a fundamental pillar of national development and survival, and public discourse around it is both necessary and healthy.
He emphasized that there is no widespread opposition to tax reforms, noting that updating tax laws is essential to improve efficiency and strengthen revenue generation. “Every adult Nigerian who is eligible to pay tax should do so for the country to function effectively. No one is opposed to reforming tax laws to make the system more efficient,” he stated.
However, the elder statesman expressed deep concern over what he described as signs of a hidden agenda, suggesting that these fears now appear to be playing out in the open. He said it was “totally embarrassing” for lawmakers to claim that the law they passed was not the same version that was officially gazetted.
Nwodo questioned how such a discrepancy could occur, insisting that a people-oriented government must seek answers. He asked pointed questions about the origin of the document sent for official publication and who authorized its release to the press. According to him, a transparent and independent investigation is necessary to clearly establish the facts and reassure Nigerians that neither the president nor the presidency was involved in any wrongdoing.
He further argued that those responsible for altering the law must be identified and held accountable. In addition, he called on the president to formally apologise to Nigerians and ensure that the National Assembly resubmits a clean and accurate copy of the bill for proper assent and gazetting.
Rejecting any attempt to downplay the issue, Nwodo said it was unacceptable for parliament to merely acknowledge the discrepancies and promise corrections. He insisted that Nigerians are intelligent and deserve respect. “This is not a kindergarten. You cannot treat citizens as though they are incapable of understanding the seriousness of this matter,” he said.
Nwodo also stressed that transparency is critical to achieving compliance with tax laws. He noted that while citizens are expected to obey tax regulations, the government has failed to adequately involve the public or inspire confidence in the reform process. This, he said, has resulted in widespread doubt and confusion, making compliance more difficult.
He also questioned the urgency surrounding the implementation date of the law, asking why it must take effect on January 1. According to him, a well-planned and credible implementation process would yield better results than rushing the law into force.
In his concluding remarks, the elder statesman reminded the government that sovereignty ultimately belongs to the people. Quoting the opening words of the Nigerian Constitution, he said governance is rooted in popular consent. “This country belongs to the people. Leaders are elected for limited terms, but the people endure. Power resides with the citizens, not with those temporarily in office,” he said.
Nwodo’s comments come amid rising public concern over transparency and accountability in the federal government’s tax reform agenda, reinforcing calls for openness and integrity in Nigeria’s legislative processes.
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