Budget Office Defends Tax Reform Integrity Against Alteration Claims
By Patience Ikpeme
The Budget Office of the Federation has formally defended the integrity of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, warning that the nation cannot be led by unverified claims or “governance by speculation.”
This response follows serious allegations from the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, who suggested that the versions of the laws currently in circulation may have been modified after receiving legislative passage and presidential assent.
In a comprehensive statement released on Wednesday, the Budget Office noted the concerns raised by lawmakers, making it clear that the “sanctity of the law” is a cornerstone of constitutional democracy rather than a simple procedural formality.
The agency argued that any implication that a law could be changed behind the scenes without due process would “strike at the core of the Republic” and damage the fundamental right of citizens to be governed by stable, transparent legislation.
While acknowledging the role of legislative oversight, the Office cautioned that democratic integrity is equally threatened by the “careless amplification” of unverified reports.
The statement was firm in its stance that “a nation cannot be governed by insinuation or sustained on circulating documents of uncertain origin,” pointing out that once public confidence is shaken by such conjecture, it is notoriously difficult to rebuild.
The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, who signed the statement, noted that both the government and the public have a shared interest in “truth, clarity, and due process.”
He pointed out that the stability of public finance relies heavily on the “legality and clarity of fiscal laws.” Consequently, the Office welcomed the National Assembly’s decision to launch an institutional inquiry into the matter, calling it the “appropriate response to claims of illegality” rather than relying on informal rumors.
Regarding public access to the new laws, the Budget Office agreed that the business community and individual Nigerians deserve “clear and authoritative texts” of the statutes they are expected to follow.
However, the agency clarified that the “authenticity of legislation is determined by certified legislative records and official publication processes,” rather than viral or informal copies that may be inaccurate.
The statement further addressed the delicate balance of the separation of powers. It warned that claims suggesting the country is being governed by “fake laws” could erode trust in democratic institutions if they are not supported by facts. At the same time, the Office stated that the executive branch should not dismiss legislative scrutiny, as oversight is a “constitutional duty, not an act of hostility.”
From a fiscal standpoint, the Budget Office explained that legal certainty is “essential for revenue projections, macroeconomic stability, budget credibility, and investor confidence.”
Although the Budget Office is not the legal custodian of legislative records, it maintained that any confusion regarding tax provisions has a direct and negative impact on national economic planning.
To resolve the current impasse and restore public trust, the Office suggested a series of transparent measures. These include the “publication of verified reference texts in a single public repository,” providing stakeholders with “orderly access to Certified True Copies,” and offering clear public explanations if any discrepancies are found. It also called for the “strict alignment of all implementing regulations with authenticated legal texts.”
In response to calls from the opposition to suspend the reforms entirely, the Budget Office warned against letting “prudence slide into paralysis.” It maintained that the tax reforms are vital for reducing Nigeria’s “dependence on borrowing and inflationary financing” while helping to lift indirect financial burdens from vulnerable citizens.
“Where clarification is required, it must be provided; where correction is required, it must be effected; where investigation is required, it must proceed,” the statement said.
The Office concluded by describing taxation as a “democratic covenant” that requires transparency to function. It urged political leaders to protect the nation’s institutions and advised the public to rely only on verified sources of information.
