The leadership of the senate and house of representatives has directed Kamoru Ogunlana, clerk to the national assembly, to undertake a fresh gazetting of the recently approved tax laws.
Recall that Abdussamad Dasuki, member of the house of representatives, raised alarm that the content reportedly passed by the legislature differed from the version already published for public access.
The development has provoked widespread public concern, with many Nigerians demanding that enforcement of the disputed tax laws be halted.
Despite the uproar, implementation of the reformed tax laws is still slated to commence in January pending further legislative action.
They include 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.
‘REVIEW IN INTEREST OF ACCURACY’
In a statement, Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the house of representatives, said the national assembly also directed the clerk to issue certified true copies of the versions passed by both chambers.
Rotimi explained that a gazette serves as an official record, formally publishing laws and legal notices after presidential assent and is relied upon by government agencies, courts, and the public as authoritative evidence of the law.
He noted that the review aims 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.”
“This includes a careful examination of any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established,” the statement reads.
“The leadership emphasised that the review is “being conducted in full conformity with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, the Standing Orders of both Chambers, and established parliamentary practice.”
“In the course of this review, and in the interest of clarity, accuracy, and the integrity of the legislative record, the leadership of the National Assembly, under the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to re-gazette the Acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions duly passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly.”
He stressed that “this administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the national assembly.”
The statement clarified that “this review is strictly confined to institutional processes and procedures. It does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by the house of representatives or the senate.”
“It is undertaken without prejudice to the powers, functions, or actions of any other arm or agency of government, and without prejudice to any rights, obligations, or legal processes arising under the Constitution or any other applicable law,” Rotimi added.
The leadership of the house urged Nigerians to allow the process to unfold without speculation, stressing that the assembly 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.”