The Budget Office of the Federation has defended the integrity of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, urged citizens and political actors to rely on verified sources amid claims of post-passage alterations.
In a statement personally signed by Director-General Tanimu Yakubu on Wednesday, the Office responded to concerns raised by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, stressing that the rule of law is central to a functioning democracy. Any suggestion that laws could be changed without proper legislative process, it said, would undermine public trust and constitutional governance.
“A nation cannot be governed by insinuation or circulating documents of uncertain origin,” the statement said, warning that unverified claims can erode confidence in democratic institutions.
The Budget Office welcomed the National Assembly’s decision to investigate the allegations, noting that institutional inquiry not speculation is the appropriate response. It emphasized that authenticated legislative records, not viral reproductions, determine the legality of laws.
Highlighting the link between legal certainty and economic stability, the Budget Office said ambiguity in tax laws can affect revenue projections, budget credibility, and investor confidence. It proposed measures to restore clarity, including publishing verified reference texts in a single repository, providing orderly access to certified copies, and aligning implementing regulations with official laws.
On calls to suspend the reforms, the Office cautioned against letting prudence slide into paralysis. Properly implemented tax reforms, it said, are essential to reduce borrowing, curb inflation, and ease burdens on vulnerable citizens.
Director-General reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, institutional integrity, and reforms that promote national prosperity while protecting citizens’ rights. He urged all stakeholders to respect verified information and support processes that strengthen, rather than weaken, Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
