Abuja, December 31, 2025
– The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated its call for the suspension of the commencement date of the Tax Act, citing discrepancies between the harmonised and gazetted versions of the new Tax Act.
In a press statement titled “TAX ACT START DATE: MONEY, NOT NIGERIANS, TINUBU’S PRIORITY,” the party highlighted widespread public displeasure over the alleged smuggling in of very dangerous provisions that were earlier expunged by Parliament.
Nigerians from all walks of life have demanded a thorough investigation into this anomaly, seeking to know who carried out the illegal insertion and how it was done.
The PDP criticised the Presidency for minimising these concerns while insisting that the commencement date must stand despite the discrepancies.
This approach, the party stated, clearly shows where the government’s priority lies—between Nigerians and money.
The PDP further noted that the @officialABAT Presidency has consistently prioritised finance over the welfare and well-being of Nigerians since its inception in 2023, as evidenced by the reckless announcement and implementation of fuel subsidy removal, which caused immediate economic damage and irreparable suffering for ordinary Nigerians.
The party reminded President Tinubu that he is an employee of the people and should listen to his employers. It pointed out that he won the election with less than 40% of the votes and should therefore recognise that listening to Nigerians is a primary duty of his administration, rather than serving the narrow interests of those around him.
Mr. President was also reminded that a responsible PDP administration in 2012 listened to the cries of Nigerians and civil society organisations—where he played a prominent role in the protests—against fuel subsidy removal, in deference to the voices of Nigerians. The interest of Nigerians must be uppermost in the mind of the President and the Federal Government.
Consequently, the PDP reiterated its earlier call for the suspension of the commencement date of the Tax Act, pending the conclusion of a thorough investigation.
Obedience to laws in a democracy is directly linked to the belief that elected legislators have deliberated upon and approved them. A mere suspicion, let alone a confirmed fact, that unapproved sections have been smuggled into a law with the capacity to affect all Nigerians is sufficient reason to suspend its commencement.
The President must act in favour of the people of this country; to do otherwise is a clear confirmation that money, not the people, is the priority.
PDP Accuses Tinubu of Prioritising Money Over Nigerians in Tax Act Controversy
