Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on the Federal Government to halt the enforcement of Nigeria’s newly gazetted tax laws, warning that the regulations contain major errors and inconsistencies that could harm businesses and ordinary taxpayers.
Obi made his position known on Tuesday through a statement shared on his official X page, where he referenced a report by KPMG Nigeria identifying 31 problem areas in the new tax framework. The report pointed to issues such as unclear taxation of shares, poor treatment of dividends, and confusing rules for non-residents and foreign exchange deductions.
According to Obi, these flaws show that the policy was rushed without proper consultation or public awareness. He criticised the lack of engagement with key stakeholders such as business owners, workers, and civil society before the new laws were approved. He argued that tax policies should involve open dialogue so that citizens understand their obligations and benefits.
Obi also expressed concern that the current tax system adds more pressure on Nigerians who are already struggling with rising costs of living. He said the government should focus on creating trust and explaining the purpose of new taxes instead of imposing them abruptly.
He maintained that taxation must serve as a fair exchange between the government and the people, warning that unclear and poorly communicated laws risk turning tax compliance into a burden rather than a civic duty.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, responded to the concerns raised by KPMG. He explained that some of the issues identified were due to misinterpretation of the policy’s intent, noting that certain criticisms were based on disagreements rather than factual errors.
The debate continues as experts and citizens await further clarification from the government on how the new tax framework will be adjusted to ensure transparency, fairness, and ease of understanding for all taxpayers.
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