The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria’s arm of the global anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International, has slammed the Presidency for allegedly assenting to a tax law riddled with unauthorised alterations from the version painstakingly passed by the National Assembly.

The allegations, if proven true, could shatter public trust and upend the nation’s fragile economic recovery, CISLAC warned in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani. “If proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust,” Rafsanjani declared.

He stated: “Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution… Any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers,” he stressed, painting a picture of a presidency potentially bypassing lawmakers to rewrite rules that hit every Nigerian’s pocket.

The controversy swirls around a tax reform bill born from rare, inclusive consultations involving taxpayers, civil society, professional bodies, private sector players, labour unions, local governments, and experts. “This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced,” CISLAC noted, only for whispers of unilateral tweaks post-passage to emerge.

Rafsanjani warned: “Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed”.

With Nigerians already reeling from skyrocketing living costs, inflation, and crumbling services, the timing couldn’t be worse. “Uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians,” CISLAC cautioned.

Rafsanjani noted that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services. “Implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment”. Rafsanjani added a stark warning: “Tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity.” He warned that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.

CISLAC issued urgent demands to restore order. It called on the Presidency to “urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification”.

It said the National Assembly must “promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature,” Rafsanjani insisted, including scrutiny of the enrolled bill process. Further, any discrepancies should trigger “lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation,” with independent probes by the Attorney-General’s office and judiciary if needed.

CISLAC pushed for systemic fixes too: “Digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures”.

This isn’t partisan mudslinging, CISLAC stressed—it’s a fight for democracy’s soul. “The issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”

“Allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy”. The group vowed to keep watch: “CISLAC will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law”. (The Sun)

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