A renowned human rights activist and lawyer, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, has cautioned that any alteration of the controversial Tax Reform Bill would amount to a shameless betrayal of Democracy.
Comrade Adeyanju who stated this in a statement personally signed by him said if the rumour making the rounds that the version of the bill signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu differs significantly from the one passed by the National Assembly, is true, this would be a blatant disregard for the country’s democratic principles.
He said, “in a functioning democracy, the President’s role is to assent to bills passed by the legislature, not rewrite them. Any alterations, whether by omission, addition, or substitution, undermine the very fabric of democracy. It’s a power play that disregards the will of the people and the institutions meant to represent them.”
Deji Adeyanju has rightly called out this move as a “mockery of Nigeria’s democracy”. The alteration of the bill without transparency is not just an affront to the National Assembly but to every Nigerian citizen. It’s a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues plaguing the country’s governance.
“The Tinubu administration’s actions will be under intense scrutiny, and rightly so. If they fail to provide a satisfactory explanation and publish the authenticated version of the bill, it will be seen as an admission of guilt.
“Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of democracy, and this administration must be held to these standards”, he stressed.
He stated that the implications of this scandal are far-reaching. It erodes trust in institutions and fuels public disillusionment. Nigerians deserve better than a government that treats their democracy with such contempt. The administration must come clean and allow the people to see the evidence.
This incident highlights the need for stronger checks and balances within Nigeria’s system. The National Assembly must assert its authority and ensure that the executive respects the legislative process. The judiciary, too, has a role in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
The people of Nigeria are watching, and they demand answers. The Tinubu administration has an opportunity to clear the air and show its commitment to democracy. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in them.
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