The Budget Office of the Federation has firmly defended the integrity of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, dismissing allegations of post-passage alterations as unverified speculation and warning that such claims pose a serious threat to democratic governance and public trust.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Director-General, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, the Office responded to concerns raised by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, stressing that any alteration of a law after debate, passage, authentication and presidential assent—outside due process—would undermine the core principles of the Republic.
“A nation cannot be governed by insinuation or sustained on circulating documents of uncertain origin,” the statement said, cautioning that the careless amplification of unverified claims erodes public confidence that is often difficult to rebuild.
While welcoming the National Assembly’s decision to investigate the matter, the Budget Office insisted that institutional inquiry, rather than conjecture or speculation, remains the appropriate path in a democracy.
The Office affirmed the right of Nigerians and the business community to access authoritative versions of the law, clarifying that legal authenticity derives from certified legislative records and official publications—not informal or viral documents in circulation.
It also highlighted the importance of the separation of powers, warning that unsubstantiated claims of “fake laws” risk damaging confidence in democratic institutions, even as it acknowledged legislative oversight as a constitutional responsibility.
From a fiscal perspective, the agency noted that legal certainty is fundamental to revenue projections, macroeconomic stability, budget credibility and investor confidence—key pillars as Nigeria pursues reforms aimed at reducing borrowing, controlling inflation and limiting the impact of indirect taxes on vulnerable citizens.
To strengthen public trust, the Budget Office proposed practical measures, including the publication of verified legal texts in a single repository, the issuance of Certified True Copies, clear explanations of any discrepancies, and the alignment of subsidiary regulations with authenticated laws.
It rejected calls for the suspension of the tax reforms, arguing that caution should not translate into policy paralysis.
“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.
Describing taxation as a democratic covenant built on transparency and trust, the Budget Office called on all stakeholders to protect national institutions and resist the spread of unauthenticated information.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to fiscal transparency, institutional integrity and reform-driven economic prosperity.
