Reps Member has alleged that tax laws were altered after passage and Nigerians are currently demanding for answers via their social media accounts.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that an allegation by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki, that newly approved tax laws were altered after being passed by the National Assembly has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians.
In a video that has gone viral on X on Wednesday, the lawmaker claimed there were discrepancies between the versions of the tax laws passed by lawmakers and those later gazetted and made available to the public.
Dasuki insisted that the differences were not clerical mistakes, but fundamental alterations that amount to a breach of the Nigerian Constitution.
“Mister Speaker, honourable colleagues, what was passed on this floor is not what is gazetted. I gave my vote, and it was counted, and I’m seeing something completely different. This is a breach of the Constitution and our laws, and this should not be taken by this Honourable House,” he said.
Responding to the claim, Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, assured lawmakers that the matter would be thoroughly examined by the House.
The allegation has since triggered strong reactions from Nigerians on social media, with several commentators describing it as a grave constitutional violation if proven true, and even calling it an impeachable offence.
Reacting on X, a user identified as OurFaveOnlineDoc wrote: “The presidency just played the National Assembly as fools. This is a total new low for this country.”
Human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, also weighed in, stating that the allegation, if established, would amount to an impeachable offence.
“This is an impeachable offence,” he wrote.
Another user, Obiasogu David, described the situation as “constitutional fraud” if the claims are confirmed.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency has yet to respond to the allegations.
The tax law in question, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.