Former Labour Party presidential candidate and current African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful Peter Obi has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend implementation of Nigeria’s recently enacted tax laws, warning that the new regime contains serious drafting flaws, policy inconsistencies and administrative gaps that could harm citizens and businesses. Obi’s appeal was made in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on January 13, 2026.
Obi referenced an analysis by global consulting firm KPMG Nigeria, which identified 31 “critical problem areas” in the tax laws, including drafting errors, policy contradictions and gaps that require closed-door discussions between regulators and tax professionals just to interpret. He argued that such complexity and lack of transparency undermines public confidence and threatens economic growth, because ordinary Nigerians and business owners are left unclear about what the new tax obligations mean. Describing taxation as a “social contract” between government and citizens, Obi said enforcement of these laws without broad public consultation or clear communication breaches trust and could deepen hardship for already strained households. He warned that the current approach prioritising revenue collection over understanding and consensus risks making citizens feel penalised rather than served by policy.
Obi’s statement highlighted rising living costs and limited tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians even after subsidy removal, arguing that additional tax burdens should not be imposed until a comprehensive review, public dialogue and clarity in law are secured. He called on the federal government to pause implementation and engage in a more inclusive process to rebuild trust and ensure equitable reform.
