Peter Obi Flags 31 Major Discrepancies in Federal Tax Reform Bill, Urges Immediate Implementation Halt

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has voiced a stern critique of the newly proposed Federal Tax Reform Bill, identifying 31 critical flaws that he claims will disproportionately affect the Nigerian masses and small businesses.

In a detailed analysis released on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the former Anambra State Governor demanded an immediate suspension of the tax law’s implementation. Obi argued that introducing complex and potentially regressive tax policies during a period of high inflation and economic hardship is “ill-timed and counterproductive.”

According to Obi, the 31 identified discrepancies range from ambiguous clauses on Value Added Tax (VAT) redistribution to the potential “double taxation” of struggling enterprises. He expressed concern that the new framework could further erode the purchasing power of the average Nigerian while failing to address the fundamental issues of fiscal irresponsibility and the high cost of governance.

“Taxation should be a tool for economic growth, not a burden that stifles productivity,” Obi stated. He urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to engage in more transparent, wide-ranging consultations with economic stakeholders and regional leaders before moving forward.

The call for suspension comes amid growing debate over the tax bills, which have already faced significant pushback from various state governors and the National Economic Council (NEC). Peter Obi’s intervention adds significant political weight to the opposition, as he insists that any reform must prioritize the “production-to-consumption” transition he has long advocated for to stabilize the Naira and revitalize the economy.