Tax Laws Controversy: Reps Deputy Spokesman Declares Minority Report Overtaken by Events

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has declared that the interim report by the Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee on alleged alterations in the Tax Reforms Acts is now overtaken by events. This comes after the release of the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the laws, which he says resolves all discrepancies and restores public confidence.

Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, made the statement on Saturday in response to the committee’s findings released a day earlier. The minority caucus, led by Hon. Afam Ogene, had raised alarms over what they described as “illegal” alterations in the gazetted versions of the tax laws, particularly the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025.

According to the committee’s preliminary report, a comparison between the CTCs provided by the House and the earlier gazetted copies revealed significant changes. They pointed out that at least three different versions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act were circulating, raising questions about procedural anomalies. The report also highlighted a directive to “align” the Acts with the Federal Government Printing Press, which the caucus viewed as an encroachment on the National Assembly’s legislative powers.

Reacting to these claims, Agbese emphasized that the leadership of the National Assembly had already addressed the issues decisively. He noted that under Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, in collaboration with Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, the authentic versions of the four tax reform Acts—as passed by the Assembly and assented to by the President—were publicly released.

“The concerns raised regarding discrepancies in the tax laws have already been comprehensively addressed by the House leadership. With the release of the Certified True Copies of the Acts, there is now clarity as to what was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law,” Agbese stated.

He further explained that the Speaker had initiated an internal verification process to ensure only the authentic versions remain in circulation, underscoring the House’s commitment to transparency and due process. Agbese added that these joint actions by both chambers demonstrate unity in protecting the legislature’s constitutional role and preventing any erosion of its powers.

While acknowledging the minority lawmakers’ right to probe for accountability, Agbese argued that the swift corrective measures render further controversy unnecessary. “The House has acted swiftly and responsibly. The leadership did not wait for public pressure to mount before taking action. The release of the Certified Acts has settled the matter and ensured that Nigerians are guided only by the correct and lawful versions of the tax reforms,” he said.

However, some members of the minority caucus have pushed back against Agbese’s dismissal. Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki, a member of the committee, warned that brushing aside the report could encourage impunity, insisting the alterations needed thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences. The caucus maintains that their probe was aimed at exposing potential manipulations rather than criticizing the Assembly’s leadership.

The tax reform bills, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in December 2025, include the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, and Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act. They aim to streamline tax processes, eliminate multiple taxation, and boost revenue generation for the country. Critics, including northern governors and stakeholders, have raised concerns over provisions like the derivation-based VAT distribution, arguing it disadvantages certain regions.

Agbese assured Nigerians that the House would continue collaborating with the Senate and other institutions to strengthen legislative processes and avoid similar issues. “We are committed to safeguarding democratic institutions and ensuring the integrity of our laws,” he concluded.

This development highlights ongoing tensions within the National Assembly over the tax reforms, with calls for greater transparency in the legislative printing and gazetting processes.