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The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has raised serious alarm over what it described as blatant executive misconduct and a grave violation of Nigeria’s constitutional order, accusing the Federal Government of manipulating recently passed tax laws without the approval of the National Assembly.

In a strongly worded press statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Chairman, Falalu Bello, OFR, the PRP condemned what it termed a clandestine alteration of tax bills after their passage by the legislature, warning that the development poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy, the rule of law, and the principle of separation of powers.

According to the PRP, the alleged irregularities were brought to public attention by what it described as a commendable disclosure from a concerned member of the House of Representatives. The party claimed that the executive arm of government unlawfully inserted, deleted, and modified substantive provisions in legislation already passed by the National Assembly, without recourse to due legislative process.

The opposition party described the alleged action as an audacious act of executive dishonesty and an unforgivable breach of public trust. It stated that any post-passage alteration of laws amounts to a mockery of the Nigerian people and an assault on the integrity of parliamentary procedures.

“The manipulation of laws after passage reveals a reckless disdain for constitutional governance, legislative independence, and democratic accountability,” the statement said, adding that such conduct undermines public confidence, fuels national uncertainty, and exposes the country to avoidable political and economic instability.

The PRP further characterized the alleged actions as a direct attack on the independence of the legislature and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to transparent and accountable governance. It warned that the erosion of lawful processes under the guise of national interest could set a dangerous precedent capable of weakening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

In response to the controversy, the PRP called for a comprehensive, transparent, and independent investigation into the alleged alterations to the tax laws, particularly the discrepancies between the versions passed by the National Assembly and those reportedly gazetted for implementation. The party insisted that all individuals found culpable, regardless of their official status, must be held accountable and subjected to appropriate sanctions.

In a dramatic escalation, the PRP declared that if investigations reveal that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was personally implicated in the alleged illegal manipulations, it would demand his impeachment without delay. The party stressed that no individual, including the President, should be above the law.

Beyond calls for investigation, the PRP demanded the immediate suspension of the implementation of the disputed tax laws pending the resolution of all identified inconsistencies. It argued that allowing the laws to take effect under a cloud of illegality would further damage Nigeria’s democratic fabric and economic stability.

The party also warned that failure to address the issue promptly would compel it to seek judicial intervention. According to the statement, the PRP is prepared to approach the courts to halt the enforcement of the laws and seek redress for what it described as constitutional violations.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism, the PRP emphasized that the rule of law must take precedence over executive convenience. It cautioned that continued disregard for constitutional order by the current administration could deepen Nigeria’s governance crisis, weaken accountability mechanisms, and further diminish the country’s credibility on the global stage.

The PRP called on patriotic Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the National Assembly to resist what it described as an assault on democracy and to defend the sanctity of legislative authority.

“No government, regardless of political inclination, is above the law,” the statement concluded, noting that failure to act decisively would amount to a betrayal of the Nigerian people and a surrender to executive tyranny.

The party reaffirmed its solidarity with Nigerians and urged all relevant authorities to ensure that justice prevails, constitutional order is restored, and what it termed a dangerous precedent is decisively overturned.

The statement ended with a patriotic call: “Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

StreetReporters.ng

This post has already been read at least 1139 times!