The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to due process and legislative integrity following allegations of discrepancies between tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted by the federal government. In a statement by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon Akin Rotimi, on Friday, the leadership of
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to due process and legislative integrity following allegations of discrepancies between tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted by the federal government.
In a statement by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon Akin Rotimi, on Friday, the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives directed the National Assembly Clerk, Kamoru Ogunlana, to work with relevant agencies in the executive to re-gazette the tax law.
The relevant tax laws in Nigeria are the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.
The development followed a resolution of the House on Thursday, December 18, to constitute a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged inconsistencies. The panel was set up after Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) raised the issue during plenary under a point of order legislative privilege.
Hon Dasuki told lawmakers that provisions contained in the gazetted versions of the tax laws differed from those debated and approved on the floor of the House, arguing that the situation violated legislative rights and cast doubt on the integrity of the lawmaking process.
According to the House, public concern has centred on the harmonisation of bills passed separately by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the documents transmitted to the president for assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.
Hon. Rotimi said the National Assembly is addressing the matter strictly within its constitutional and statutory authority.
“The Ad Hoc Committee, alongside other relevant committees of the National Assembly, working in collaboration with the management of the National Assembly, is undertaking an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and to identify any factors that may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the legislative and administrative handling of the Acts,” the statement read.
He explained that the review is examining any possible lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established, and stressed that the process is being conducted in line with the Constitution.
He said the national assembly is “undertaking an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and to identify any factors that may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the legislative and administrative handling of the Acts”.
“This includes a careful examination of any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established,” the statement reads.
“The review is being conducted in full conformity with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, the Standing Orders of both Chambers, and established parliamentary practice.
“In the course of this review, and in the interest of clarity, accuracy, and the integrity of the legislative record, the leadership of the National Assembly, under the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to re-gazette the Acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions duly passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly.
“This administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly.
“This review is strictly confined to institutional processes and procedures. It does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by the House of Representatives or the Senate.
“It is undertaken without prejudice to the powers, functions, or actions of any other arm or agency of government, and without prejudice to any rights, obligations, or legal processes arising under the Constitution or any other applicable law.
Hon Rotimi clarified that the decision to re-gazette the laws is purely an administrative measure aimed at ensuring accuracy and authenticity.
“This administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly,” he said.
He added that the ongoing review does not imply or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by either chamber and is strictly confined to institutional processes.
Reiterating its position, he said it remains committed to constitutionalism, separation of powers, due process, transparency, and the supremacy of the rule of law, assuring Nigerians that any procedural or administrative gaps identified during the review would be addressed in line with established parliamentary conventions.
“Members of the public are respectfully urged to allow the National Assembly’s institutional processes to proceed without speculation or conjecture,” he added.
