Former presidential candidate and ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of the newly introduced tax law, describing it as controversial, poorly communicated, and capable of worsening the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

 

Obi said it has become “undeniable” that the country’s tax framework has been significantly altered in troubling ways, pointing to a report by global accounting firm KPMG, which identified 31 critical red flags in the law. These include drafting errors, policy contradictions, and administrative loopholes that, according to him, undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the legislation.

 

He argued that such findings should compel the government to halt enforcement and conduct a comprehensive review rather than rushing implementation.

 

The former Labour Party presidential candidate also raised concerns about transparency, noting that the problems highlighted by KPMG only came to light after private engagements between the firm and the National Revenue Service. He warned that if financial experts require closed-door discussions to interpret the law, ordinary Nigerians stand little chance of understanding the new tax obligations being imposed on them.

 

Obi stressed that taxation goes beyond revenue generation, describing it as a social contract that must be built on trust, clarity, and visible public benefit.

 

“Taxation transcends mere fiscal policy; it represents a social contract between the government and its citizens,” he said, adding that such a contract cannot be enforced if it is neither understood nor trusted.

 

He observed that in many countries, tax policies are justified by tangible outcomes such as improved healthcare, quality education, infrastructure development, job creation, and social welfare. In contrast, he said Nigeria’s tax conversation appears focused solely on how much the government intends to collect, with little emphasis on what citizens will gain in return.

 

According to Obi, a tax system that lacks clear public benefits amounts not to reform but to exploitation.

 

The former governor also faulted the absence of broad stakeholder engagement, noting that global best practices require months or even years of consultations with businesses, labour groups, and civil society before new tax laws are implemented. He said Nigerians were neither adequately informed nor meaningfully involved in discussions leading to the final version of the law.

 

Obi warned that the timing of the new tax regime is particularly troubling, as Nigerians are already struggling with rising food prices, high transportation costs, declining purchasing power, and deepening poverty—conditions worsened by the removal of fuel subsidies.

 

He urged the government to suspend the tax implementation, address the identified flaws, engage citizens openly, and build national consensus before moving forward.

 

“Without trust, taxation feels like punishment. Without clarity, it breeds confusion. Without evident public value, it amounts to robbery,” Obi stated.

 

He concluded that Nigeria cannot afford to impose additional burdens on an already distressed population, calling for leadership that listens to citizens, communicates clearly, and prioritises reforms that deliver genuine growth and shared prosperity.