By Our Reporter
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed the allegation that the newly implemented tax laws were altered after their passage by the National Assembly, insisting that the versions gazetted and signed into law accurately captured the decisions taken by lawmakers in both chambers.
Akpabio stated this during Wednesday plenary while responding to claims by a member, House of Representatives, Hon. Abdussamad Dakuku, who had alleged that the tax reform bills approved by the parliament differed from copies later made available to the public.
The Senate president, however, described such claims as unfounded, stressing that only documents issued and certified by the National Assembly should be regarded as authentic.
According to Akpabio, any version circulating outside official channels does not represent the outcome of legislative business, saying that the final texts of the laws emerged from extensive consideration in the Senate and the House, followed by harmonisation of differences between the two chambers.
"I understand that there is another version that was circulating around, which was not in compliance with what was contained in our votes and proceedings," the Senate president said, adding that there was "no adulteration whatsoever" in the laws eventually signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Akpabio disclosed that four tax related acts had successfully completed the legislative process, adding that the bills were passed by the National Assembly, assented to by President Tinubu, and subsequently gazetted.
The Senate president noted further that the documents were also certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly.
"The four acts are ready and gazetted and signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly to avoid confusion," he said.
He directed the Clerk of the Senate to distribute certified copies of the tax reform acts to all senators, saying each lawmaker present would receive a copy, while those absent would be given theirs later.
Akpabio warned that the documents must not be released through unofficial sources, saying that restricting circulation to the Clerk’s office would help curb speculation and misinformation.
He further explained that the gazetted versions incorporate proceedings of both chambers, including agreements reached during harmonisation, before transmission for presidential assent.
Meanwhile, the Senate has deferred consideration of the report of its committee on electoral matters.
The Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the postponement was partly due to the absence of the committee chairman, Simon Lalong.
Bamidele said although copies of the report had been circulated, Senators needed additional time to study the document.
This was just as he added that further deliberations, including a closed session, would be scheduled to examine key provisions.
The Senate president supported the delay, adding that the Upper Chamber would rather be meticulous than hurried.
"We don’t need to rush the report, due process and fairness would guide the chamber’s decision," Akpabio said.
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