Tinubu Tax Act: Senate’s gazette controversy raises constitutional red flags, says Atiku Abubakar

The confirmation by the Senate that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act differs from what was passed by the National Assembly has sparked a constitutional crisis. Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has said.

According to him, the discrepancy raised grave concerns about the legitimacy of the law.

Abubakar argued that the gazetted version, which did not reflect the National Assembly’s approval, was null and void.

He cited Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlined the lawmaking process as passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.

Any deviation from this process, Abubakar contended, undermined the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent.

The former Vice President rejected attempts to rush a re-gazetting without proper legislative oversight, emphasising that illegality could not be cured by speed.

Instead, he advocated for fresh legislative consideration, re-passage in identical form by both chambers, fresh assent, and proper gazetting.

Abubakar’s stance is not against tax reform but a defence of the legislative process and the Constitution.

He warned against normalising constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts, emphasising the need for integrity and adherence to the law.