Veteran actor, lawyer, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to impose a “forged” tax law on Nigerians, warning that the development, alongside recent judicial and political actions, represents a serious threat to democracy, federalism, and the rule of law.
Speaking during a political interview, Okonkwo alleged that the tax reform law scheduled for implementation from January 1 did not reflect the version passed by the National Assembly. He cited claims made on the floor of the House of Representatives by Honourable Abdul Samad Dasuki, who reportedly stated that the harmonised bill approved by lawmakers was different from the gazetted copy currently in circulation. Okonkwo also referenced Honourable Mansur Soro, who allegedly insisted that the discrepancies were neither accidental nor coincidental but intentional.
According to Okonkwo, any intentional alteration to a bill after passage renders the entire law invalid, even if only one provision was changed. He argued that once the National Assembly passes a bill and the President assents to it, any subsequent modification—no matter how minor—amounts to forgery and voids the document entirely.
He further alleged that the disputed tax law stripped the legislature and the courts of oversight powers and transferred excessive authority to tax agencies. According to him, the altered provisions allegedly grant tax authorities powers to arrest citizens, access bank accounts, seize funds, and enforce tax payments without court orders, effectively allowing them to act as investigators, prosecutors, and judges simultaneously. He described this as a clear violation of constitutional safeguards and due process.
Okonkwo faulted President Tinubu for failing to immediately withdraw the law once the allegations surfaced, arguing that doing so early would have prevented national and international embarrassment. He maintained that the continued push to implement the law suggests deliberate intent and called for its immediate withdrawal, insisting that it is illegal, unconstitutional, and criminal. He also urged the President to set up an independent panel to investigate those allegedly responsible for altering the bill and prosecute them if found culpable.
Beyond the tax controversy, Okonkwo accused the Federal Government of disregarding the rule of law by failing to implement a Supreme Court judgment directing that local government allocations be paid directly to councils. He questioned why state governors were being engaged on the matter when the judgment was binding on the Federal Government, describing the delay of over one year as contempt of court and alleging that it was politically motivated.
He also criticised President Tinubu’s decision to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin without prior approval from the Senate, describing the move as unconstitutional under Section 5(4)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. Okonkwo argued that Nigeria’s internal security challenges made foreign deployment unjustifiable and warned that the National Assembly could not retroactively legitimise what he described as an illegal act.
On the political crisis in Rivers State, Okonkwo warned that recent Supreme Court interpretations regarding states of emergency pose a dangerous precedent. He argued that the Constitution does not empower the President to remove elected governors or state assemblies and cautioned that granting such discretion undermines federalism, separation of powers, and democratic governance. According to him, allowing the President such powers could enable the suspension of democratic structures across all states under the guise of emergency rule.
He described Rivers State politics as divided along party lines, claiming that former Governor Nyesom Wike controls the Peoples Democratic Party structure in the state, while Governor Siminalayi Fubara effectively leads the All Progressives Congress structure. Okonkwo alleged that the declaration of a state of emergency was a calculated strategy to gain access to Rivers State resources while weakening both political camps.
The ADC chieftain also accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures are targeted while members of the ruling All Progressives Congress are shielded from accountability. He argued that anti-corruption agencies are being used to intimidate opposition politicians and discourage defections from the ruling party.
Describing the APC as an existential threat to Nigerian democracy, Okonkwo cited alleged election irregularities, suppression of opposition parties, disregard for court judgments, and concentration of power within the executive arm of government. He argued that democracy cannot survive without credible elections, independent institutions, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
Concluding, Okonkwo urged Nigerians to remain vigilant ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the only remedy to what he described as democratic decline is active citizen participation. He called on voters to not only vote but also defend their votes, warning that no democracy can survive without the vigilance of its people.
