The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called for the immediate suspension of the implementation of the newly enacted tax reform laws, citing serious concerns over alleged alterations made to the legislation after its passage by the National Assembly.
The caucus in a statement in Abuja Monday said it was deeply troubled by what it described as credible allegations that the tax laws, which were duly passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu, may have been unlawfully altered before being gazetted and circulated to the public.
The statement was signed by the Minority Leader, Rep. O.K. Chinda; the Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa J.C.; the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Aliyu Madaki; and the Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. George Ozodinobi.
The Minority Caucus noted that the issue was formally raised on the floor of the House during a recent plenary session, prompting the inauguration of a high-powered investigative committee to probe the claims.
According to the caucus, the allegations strike at the heart of legislative integrity and democratic governance.
“The circumstances surrounding these allegations are deeply disturbing and must be thoroughly investigated. The sanctity of the legislative process must be preserved at all times,” the caucus stated.
The lawmakers explained that under established legislative procedures, the Clerk to the National Assembly is responsible for transmitting duly passed laws to the appropriate government agency for gazetting, making the National Assembly the lawful custodian of authentic legislative documents.
The caucus warned Nigerians to disregard any versions of the tax laws not bearing the official signatures of the Clerk to the National Assembly and the President, noting that such documents do not represent the true intentions of the legislature.
According to the lawmakers, any attempt to circulate or enforce altered versions of the laws amounts to an attack on the constitutional authority and independence of the National Assembly.
Consequently, the Minority Caucus called on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the tax reforms until investigations are concluded and clarity is established on the authentic versions of the laws.
They stressed that Nigerians, particularly the business community, deserve certainty and transparency regarding laws that govern economic activities, adding that public confidence in governance must not be undermined.
Leave a Reply