The House of Representatives has ordered the re-gazetting of Nigeria’s tax reform laws amid controversy over discrepancies, reaffirming commitment to due process
Reps Order Re-Gazetting of Tax Laws, Reaffirm Commitment to Due Process
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to due process, constitutionalism, and legislative integrity amid growing public controversy over alleged discrepancies between tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted by the Federal Government.
The House’s position was contained in a press statement issued on Friday and signed by its spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, following intense debate surrounding four major tax-related legislations — 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 statement followed a resolution passed by the House on Thursday, December 18, to constitute a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the matter.
The committee was set up after Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) raised the issue during plenary under a point of order bordering on legislative privilege. Dasuki had alleged that certain provisions contained in the gazetted versions of the tax laws differed from what was debated and approved by lawmakers on the floor of the House.
According to him, the development amounted to a violation of his legislative rights and raised serious concerns about the integrity of the lawmaking process.
Mr Rotimi said public commentary has largely focused on the harmonisation process between the Senate and the House, the documents transmitted to the President for assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.
He assured Nigerians that the House is addressing the matter strictly within its constitutional and statutory mandate.
“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 said.
According to him, the review is aimed at identifying any lapses, irregularities, or possible external interference, should any be established, and is being conducted in full compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, the Standing Orders of both chambers, and established parliamentary practice.
As part of measures to safeguard the integrity of the legislative record, the leadership of the National Assembly has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to re-gazette the Acts and issue Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the versions duly passed by both chambers.
The directive, Rotimi said, was jointly given under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen.
He clarified that the re-gazetting exercise is purely administrative and intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly.
“This administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly,” he said, adding that the ongoing review does not imply or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by either chamber.
The House further noted that the process is without prejudice to the powers of any other arm or agency of government, as well as any rights or legal processes arising under the Constitution or other applicable laws.
Reiterating its stance, the House said it remains firmly committed to separation of powers, the rule of law, and democratic accountability, assuring Nigerians that any procedural or administrative refinements identified during the review would be addressed in line with established parliamentary conventions.
The House also urged the public to allow its internal processes to run their course without speculation, stressing that transparency and accountability remain central to its work.
“The leadership of the House of Representatives remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.
Mr Rotimi added that further updates would be provided as the review progresses. Read More
