Gloria Robert, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Federal Government to suspend the commencement date of the new Tax Act, citing discrepancies between the harmonised and gazetted versions of the law.
This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Ini Ememobong.
The party expressed concern over “the smuggling in of very dangerous provisions which were expunged earlier by the Parliament,” adding that Nigerians had demanded a thorough investigation into how the provisions were inserted.
“Rather than address these issues comprehensively, the Presidency has consciously minimised them and instead vehemently insisted that the commencement date must stand, despite the discrepancies,” the PDP said.
It added that this stance “clearly shows where the priority of the government lies between Nigerians and money.”
The PDP further criticised the administration for allegedly prioritising financial interests over the welfare of citizens.
“This Presidency has always prioritised finance over the welfare and well-being of Nigerians from its inception in 2023, as evidenced by the reckless way it announced and implemented the removal of subsidy, which immediately impacted the economy of the country and caused ordinary Nigerians to suffer irreparable economic damage,” the statement said.
The party also reminded President Bola Tinubu of his duty to Nigerians, noting that “He is an employee of the people and, therefore, should listen to his employers.”
It added: “He should also remember that he won with less than 40 per cent of the votes in the elections that gave him the job, and should therefore recognise that listening to Nigerians must be a primary duty of his administration, rather than serving the narrow interests of people around him.”
Recalling past actions of government, the PDP said: “A responsible PDP administration in 2012 listened to the cries of Nigerians and civil society organisations (where he played a prominent role during the protests) against the removal of fuel subsidy, in deference to the voices of Nigerians.
“The interest of Nigerians must be uppermost in the mind of the President and the Federal Government.”
The party reiterated its call for the suspension of the commencement of the Tax Act pending the conclusion of an investigation into the alleged discrepancies.
“Obedience to laws in a democracy is directly linked to the belief that elected legislators have deliberated upon and approved them,” the PDP said.
It added: “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,” the statement concluded.
