Akpabio Backs Tinubu’s New Tax Laws, Says They’re Accurate

Speaking during plenary on Wednesday, Akpabio described reports suggesting that the gazetted tax laws were altered after legislative approval as misleading and unfounded. He stressed that the documents signed into law and officially gazetted faithfully reflect the resolutions reached by lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Senate President was responding to claims credited to a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dakuku, who alleged that the tax reform bills approved by parliament were different from copies later released to the public. Akpabio firmly dismissed the assertion, insisting that only documents issued and duly certified by the National Assembly should be regarded as authentic.

He explained that the certified versions of the laws were endorsed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, adding that while other versions might be circulating publicly, they do not represent the outcome of the legislative process. According to him, the final texts of the tax laws were produced after extensive deliberations in both chambers, followed by the harmonisation of differences before being transmitted for presidential assent.

Akpabio acknowledged awareness of an alternative version in circulation but noted that it did not align with the official votes and proceedings of the National Assembly. He emphasised that there was no alteration whatsoever in the laws signed by President Tinubu, stating that the bills were properly passed, assented to, and subsequently gazetted.

He further disclosed that the four tax reform acts have been certified and gazetted to eliminate confusion, directing the Clerk of the Senate to distribute official copies to all senators. Lawmakers were cautioned against releasing the documents through unofficial channels and advised to disregard any unauthorised versions to prevent misinformation.

The Senate President concluded by reiterating that the gazetted laws fully incorporate the proceedings and agreements reached by both chambers during the harmonisation process.