Former Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, and the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, have engaged in a public exchange over allegations that the recently passed tax laws were altered after approval by the National Assembly.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, raised the alarm during an interview on a national television programme, alleging that there were discrepancies between the version of the tax laws passed by the parliament and the copy eventually assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the senator, the differences were significant enough to raise concerns about the integrity of the legislative process. He further claimed that at least two different versions of the tax laws had been gazetted, suggesting possible post-passage alterations.
Reacting to the allegation, the Deputy House Spokesman, Philip Agbese, dismissed the claims, insisting that the legislative process followed due procedure and that the integrity of the National Assembly remained intact. He described the allegation as misleading and capable of eroding public confidence in the work of the legislature.
Agbese maintained that the harmonisation and transmission of bills to the President are governed by established rules and processes, adding that any perceived discrepancies could be clarified through proper institutional channels rather than public accusations.
The exchange has sparked renewed public debate over transparency in the lawmaking process, with calls from some quarters for greater clarity on how bills are processed, harmonised and gazetted after passage by the National Assembly.
As the controversy continues, stakeholders have urged lawmakers to prioritise transparency and accountability in order to sustain public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
