The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday dismissed claims that recently passed tax laws were altered after leaving the National Assembly, insisting that the versions signed into law accurately reflect the resolutions reached by lawmakers.
Akpabio addressed the issue during plenary following concerns raised by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dakuku, who alleged discrepancies between the tax reform bills approved by the legislature and copies later circulated publicly.
He urged the public to disregard any unofficial documents, stressing that only the certified versions represent the outcome of the National Assembly’s legislative process.
“Any document circulating outside the officially certified versions should be ignored, as it does not reflect the decisions of the National Assembly,” Akpabio said. He maintained that the laws gazetted and assented to by President Bola Tinubu fully capture the deliberations and resolutions of both chambers.
“I am aware that another version is being circulated which does not align with our votes and proceedings. There was no adulteration whatsoever in the final laws,” he added.
According to the Senate President, four tax-related Acts successfully passed through all legislative stages, received presidential assent, were gazetted, and certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly to eliminate any ambiguity.
He explained that the final documents reflect resolutions reached during the harmonisation process between the Senate and the House of Representatives.
To further assure lawmakers and the public, Akpabio directed the Clerk of the Senate to distribute certified copies of the laws to all senators, noting that the documents must only be issued through official channels.
“Every senator is expected to go home with a certified copy today. Those who are absent will have theirs delivered,” he said, warning against the circulation of unofficial versions that could fuel misinformation.
Akpabio also reiterated that the final texts incorporated proceedings from both chambers, including decisions of the harmonisation committee, before receiving presidential assent.
Meanwhile, the Senate deferred consideration of the report of its Committee on Electoral Matters to allow members more time to study the document. Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, attributed the postponement partly to the absence of the committee chairman, Senator Simon Lalong.
Supporting the decision, Akpabio said the Senate would prioritise due process over haste. “There is no need to rush the report,” he said, assuring that the chamber would ensure fairness and thoroughness in its deliberations.
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