Politics
SERAP Urges Akpabio, Abbas To Assess Human Rights Impacts Of Tax Reform Bills
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas “to urgently assess the human rights impacts of Nigeria’s reform bills currently being discussed by the National Assembly including on Nigerians living in poverty.”
According to the SERAP said, “any discussion and consideration of the tax reform bills must ensure full compliance with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations and commitments.”
The call was contained in a letter dated December 7, 2024, under the signature of its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, in which the SERAP stated, inter alia, “The assessments should be transparent, include public participation, and shape the provisions and measures that are ultimately passed. The outcome of any such assessments should be widely published.”
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The SERAP urged Akpabio, and Abbas “to pass a resolution directing Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to hold Nigeria’s state governors to account on their spending of trillions of naira of revenue derived from taxes including VATs collected by their states since 2015 and to ensure the recovery of any proceeds of corruption.”
The letter, read in part: “SERAP urges you to ensure the inclusion in the tax reform bills of transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure that any revenue derived from taxes covered under the bills are not mismanaged, diverted or pocketed by politicians, their family members and close associates.
“SERAP notes that Nigerian authorities have the discretion to develop laws on taxation most appropriate to their circumstances.
“However, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights and anticorruption treaties to which the country is a state party impose limits on the discretion of the authorities in the development of any such laws.
“Our preliminary review of the provisions of the tax reform bills shows that the bills contain some provisions that are antithetical to human rights and the rule of law.
“For example, section 28(2)(c) of the Tax Administration bill among others, requires financial institutions including banks to provide to tax authorities ‘the names, addresses, or any other information of new or existing customers.’
“Under section 28(4), financial institutions must make ‘additional disclosure” about their customers ‘if it is required by a notice signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant tax authority.’
“These provisions, especially the phrases ‘any other information’ and ‘additional disclosure’, if implemented, could be used unjustifiably or arbitrarily to restrict the right to privacy of customers.
“The risks of violations of human rights are illustrated by the absence in the bills of sufficient safeguards against abuse of access to personal data of customers.
“The provisions also give little or no consideration to data protection, thereby increasing the risks of misuse by public authorities of a customer’s personal details including their home address.
“Another troubling provision of the tax reform bills is section 57 of the Tax Administration bill which grants broad, extensive and intrusive powers to tax authorities which may be misused to undermine Nigerians’ human rights.
“In particular, section 57(1) provides that ‘an authorised officer of the relevant tax authority shall have free access to all land, buildings, places, books and documents, in the custody or under the control of a person, public officer, or institution, for the purpose of inspecting the books or documents.’
“Such official will also have free access to ‘any property, process or matter which the officer considers necessary or relevant for the purpose of collecting any tax.’
“Under subsection 2, ‘the relevant tax authority shall take immediate possession of [any] removable media and the related removable equipment or computer used to access the stored documents on the media in order to prevent the accidental or intentional destruction, removal or alteration of records and documents.’
“Section 57(5) seems to pre-empt the nature of any judicial authorisation required for tax official ‘enter any private dwelling’ by prescribing that such authorisation will ‘be valid for a period of three months from the date of its issue or such lesser period as the judicial officer considers appropriate.’
“Under subsection 6, the tax official is required to ‘produce the written authorisation and evidence of identity “on first entering the private dwelling’. The official will only produce such evidence subsequently if they consider it reasonable to do so.
“These provisions are broadly worded and could be misused to violate Nigerians’ human rights.
“The provisions also do not contain any special safeguards which means that the broad, extensive and intrusive powers granted to tax authorities could be arbitrarily exercised without any accountability.
“Section 57 also does not contain any explicit provisions that would allow the court to examine the lawfulness or necessity of any authorisation before or after any entering.
“The provisions of section 81 of the Tax Administration bill essentially oust the jurisdiction of the court in pending tax matters by stating that ‘the pendency of a legal proceeding shall not affect the performance of the duties or obligations of any taxable person under this Act or any other tax law.’
“The provisions could be misused to infringe the rights to equality and the right of access to courts, denying the right of an effective remedy to any aggrieved party.
“Several other provisions of the tax bills lack mechanisms for effective oversight and accountability, as required by the rule of law in a democratic society, thereby increasing the risks of abuse of power or arbitrariness. The provisions could be misused to violate Nigerians’ right to property and fair hearing.
“The tax bills also do not seem to contain provisions for a fair balance between the authorities’ powers to collect taxes and the requirements of the protection of the individual’s fundamental rights.
“The absence of provisions in the tax bills on meaningful judicial oversight and review and accountability procedures would also undermine the rights of Nigerians including to privacy and disproportionately affect disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups.
“Under human rights law, states including Nigeria are required to make the promotion and protection of human rights central to their tax systems. Nigeria needs a rights-based tax system that works for the people and not the politicians, their family members and close associates.
“The country also needs transparent, democratic and rights-aligned tax reforms to unlock the maximum available resources for the full realisation of human rights.
“Furthermore, there are credible reports that several state governors continue to divert or mismanage the revenue derived from taxes, impeding the funding of public goods and services that are crucial for the progressive realisation of human rights.
“In many states, millions of Nigerians continue to be denied access to essential public services such as water and basic sanitation while millions of children of school age roam the streets.
“SERAP is concerned that growing reports of corruption in the use of tax revenue and other public resources continue to disproportionately affect poor Nigerians and other most vulnerable segments of the population.
“SERAP is concerned that the opposition by some state governors against the tax reform bills may be politically motivated and reduce the tax payable to the national treasury. State governors should constructively engage in good faith in the processes to adopt a national tax system for the country.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken in the consideration of the tax reform bills.
“If the offending provisions of the tax reform bills including those outlined above are not addressed and brought in conformity with human rights standards and safeguards, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and other members of the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.
“SERAP notes that the tax reform bills, if properly aligned with human rights standards, would enhance the ability of the Federal Government, states and local governments to fulfil their human rights obligations and adequately fund public services essential for human rights.
“However, without transparency and accountability, revenue derived from taxes may not be spent to combat poverty and fund development as well as provide essential public goods and services for Nigerians.
“The National Assembly has the constitutional responsibility to conduct and publish human rights impact assessments of the tax reform bills to ensure that proposed reforms best protect, advance and fulfill people’s human rights.
“SERAP also urges you to revise and repeal several of the provisions of the bills, particularly the Tax Administration bill.
“SERAP urges you to include provisions in the tax reform bills that will ensure that Nigerians have access to all relevant data and information on fiscal policy and government revenues, including from the corporate sector.
“According to our information, members of the National Assembly are currently discussing Nigeria’s tax bills which primarily aim to ‘provide uniform procedures for a consistent and efficient administration of tax laws in order to- (a) facilitate tax compliance by taxpayers; and (b) optimise tax revenue.’
Two sitting state governors of other political parties and an influential minister, also of an opposition party have teamed up with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the push to help President Bola Ahmned Tinubu retain his seat come 2027.
Biztellers reports that Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke (Accord Party) and his Anambra State counterpart, Prof Charles Soludu (All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)) have joined the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike (Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)) in backing Tinubu’s re-election bid and would be serving in the revised Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).
Tinubu is the presidential candidate of the ruling APC.
According to a notice signed by the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the inauguration of the Council is scheduled for Wednesday at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja by 11:00 a.m.
In a move signifying that politics is ticker than blood-relationship, Adeleke, a member of the Accord Party in Osun state was preferred to the President’s cousin and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, who is the leader of the APC in the state.
With the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubbakar, and Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) giving APC and Tinubu a good fight, the ruling party is leaving nothing to chance, hence, its decision to leverage on the popularity of friendly governors in opposition parties such as Adeleke to garner more support for Tinubu in Osun.
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Also, Soludo, a member of the APGA has never hidden his desire to work for the re-election of President Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election. Soludo is Obi’s home state Governor.
Even before the ruling party released the revised campaign list, Wike, a member of the PDP had named himself the campaign coordinator for the FCT. So, it was no surprise that he was drafted into the campaign council of the APC.
Vice President Kashim Shettima would serve as Vice Chairman I, while the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda is Vice Chairman II. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are Deputy Vice Chairmen.
Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari remains the Director General of the Campaign Council.
The Deputy Director-Generals of the PCC are: Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni (North I), Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (South I), Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (North II), Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (South II), while Senator Adams Oshiomhole will head Mobilization.
Also on the list is the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who will serve as the Head of Administration, Hon. James Faleke is Deputy Director General in charge of Election Planning, Hon. Ibrahim Masari is in charge of Logistics and Operations, Hon. Aminu Masari heads Parliamentary Mobilisation, and Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi heads Infrastructure Mobilization and Sensitization.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma is Secretary of the Council, while Basiru is Deputy Secretary and Hadiza Bala Usman is Assistant Secretary.
The Zonal Campaign Coordinators include Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for South-West, Governor Peter Mbah for South-East, Senator Bassey Otu for South-South, Governor Umar Bago for North-Central, Governor Uba Sani for North-West and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff for North-East.
The list also shows state coordinators made up of serving APC governors, past governors, National and State Assembly members and other critical stakeholders.
Key directorates in the council are: Finance/Treasury to be led by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Fund Raising by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Policy and Manifesto by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and Legal Directorate by Muiz Banire, SAN.
The Directorate of Media and Strategic Communications has Minister of Information, Idris Malagi as Coordinating Director I, while Dele Alake is Presidential Campaign Spokesperson I. Other spokespersons include; Bayo Onanuga, Lere Olayinka, Ajuri Ngelale, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shitu, Bala Ibrahim, Hon. Adamu Fanda and Mohammed Garba.
The Directorate of Security and Intelligence would be headed by Gen. Sarki Yaki, Data Management by Dr. Bisoye Coker, while the Directorate of Support Groups is headed by H.E. Silas Agara.
The party said all members are expected to be present at the inauguration.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged opposition politicians to acknowledge President Bola Tinubu’s performance, insisting that political differences should not prevent them from recognising what he described as the President’s achievements.
Wike made the remarks during his media chat on Tuesday while speaking about the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections and criticism of the Tinubu administration.
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He said some politicians publicly support the President at the national level but take a different position at the sub-national level because of their desire to maintain control of their states.
“I know that sometimes, some people will come out publicly, will support you at the national level, but at the sub-national level, forget it,” Wike said.
He added that such politicians believe the President should win at the national level while they retain control of their respective states.
“But this time around I came out open because of the period we are in,” he said.
According to Wike, several politicians have been making statements about the 2027 general elections, with some claiming that Tinubu has done nothing since assuming office.
He argued that opposition parties should not dismiss the President’s performance simply because they want to take over power.
“You have to check the governor of Bauchi, who is a member of PDP, who has a presidential candidate, came out to say, ‘Look at television, that Mr. President has done well,’” he said.
Wike also urged Nigerians to consider the state of the economy before and after Tinubu assumed office.
“See what I was telling you about Bauchi. See what he has done. See what our economy is before, see what it is now,” he said.
The FCT minister maintained that political opposition should not prevent politicians from acknowledging what they consider positive developments in the country.
“You know, time has come, not because you’re an opposition party, and then you just say the man who is the chief of affairs of the country has done nothing either for the sake of, I mean, opposition, that is not fair,” he said.
He further argued that politics should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, adding that the desire to win elections should not prevent political actors from recognising the performance of their opponents.
“For us, and whether anybody likes us or not, Mr. President has done well,” Wike said.
He accused the opposition of focusing on its ambition to take over power while failing to acknowledge the administration’s performance.
“That’s something, it’s just that the opposition wants to take over power,” he said.
Wike added that opposition parties would continue to criticise the administration even if it achieved results, because they wanted to replace it.
“But the way the opposition is going now, it’s a bit of concern to us, who are saying, ‘No, no, no, no, these people are not telling Nigerians the truth,’” he said.
He called on politicians in other parties who believe the opposition is misrepresenting the situation to speak out and offer their own account of events.
“Let those of us who are also in other political parties tell Nigerians, ‘No, this is not truth, this is what is happening, and that what is, you know, going on,’” he said.
Addressing the issue of political loyalties and godfatherism, Wike said people should be willing to acknowledge good work regardless of their party affiliations.
“So, the issue of godson, the issue of whatever you may call it, I don’t, I’m not a, I’m not a party to, to read, but when you see something that will help your country, when you see somebody who is doing good, come out and say it,” he said.
He added: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re in opposition or not.”
Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over its debt management, citing figures showing that the Federal Government spent ₦7.7 trillion on debt interest payments against revenue of ₦6.2 trillion in the first half of 2026.
Obi made the criticism in a statement posted on his X account on Monday, October 12, while reacting to a World Bank report titled Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Reshaped State Priorities.
According to Obi, the Federal Government spent ₦7.7 trillion on debt interest payments between January and June 2026, representing approximately 124.2 per cent of its total revenue of ₦6.2 trillion during the same period.
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He said debt interest payments exceeded the government’s revenue by approximately ₦1.5 trillion, questioning how the country could continue to face a debt crisis despite increased revenue.
“How do you explain the unsustainable debt crisis even with exponential increase in revenue that we have had since 2023?” Obi asked.
The former Anambra State governor also expressed concern over a reported reduction of about ₦700 billion in capital expenditure during the first half of the year.
He argued that the government’s spending priorities showed a significant imbalance between debt servicing and investment in capital projects.
“In comparison, the APC led Federal Government spends about 11 times more on interest payment than on capital projects,” he stated.
Obi attributed the situation to what he described as reckless borrowing, corruption and incompetence within the Tinubu administration.
He argued that increased government revenue should not be celebrated without examining how public funds are spent and whether government spending priorities support economic development.
Obi further maintained that the presentation of improved economic indicators should not distract from the country’s debt burden and the impact of government policies on Nigerians.
He said the administration should recognise that economic progress cannot be measured by increased revenue alone, particularly when the government continues to face substantial debt interest obligations.
The NDC presidential candidate also questioned the government’s presentation of economic performance, arguing that economic statistics should reflect the actual impact of reforms rather than serve as a basis for celebrating improvements that have not translated into better living conditions for citizens.
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