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Tax Laws Row: National Assembly Opens Records for Public Review

Boluwatife Ajayi — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:25:32 +0000

The leadership of the 10th National Assembly has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to produce the Votes and Proceedings of lawmakers in both chambers, alongside the gazetted versions of the recently passed Tax Acts.

The directive follows a controversy triggered by claims of alleged alterations to the tax reform bills as passed by the parliament.

A Sokoto lawmaker, Abdussamad Dasuki, had, during plenary, alleged that copies of the tax laws in circulation differed materially from those approved by the National Assembly.

Ruling on the matter, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, constituted an ad hoc committee chaired by a Borno lawmaker, Muktar Betara, to investigate the allegations and report back to the House for further legislative action.

In a statement issued late Wednesday and signed by the Director of Information, Bullah Bi-Allah, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, the House invited public input as part of efforts to resolve the controversy.

The statement read in part, “The leadership of the National Assembly has taken note of public discussions concerning alleged discrepancies between the Votes and Proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of recently passed Tax Acts.

“In response to public calls for transparency, the leadership of the National Assembly has directed the Clerk to make available the transmitted tax bills duly signed by the President, including the certificate pages.

“This step will allow members of the public to independently review the documents and verify the facts.”

It further noted that despite the level of public interest, only a few individuals had formally applied for Certified True Copies of the harmonised bills.

“Despite widespread public interest, only a limited number of persons have formally requested Certified True Copies of the harmonised bills, and all such requests have been processed.

“Interested persons may apply to the Clerk to the National Assembly, indicating the specific bills required and paying the prescribed fees.”

On the gazetting process, the statement explained that the Clerk was working with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

“The Clerk is also working with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in compliance with the law. These gazettes are expected to be ready on or before January 1, 2026.

“While the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press,” it added.

The National Assembly also disclosed that it was reviewing its internal procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.

“To strengthen institutional processes, the National Assembly is reviewing procedures for the transmission and gazetting of bills.

“Henceforth, all bills for presidential assent will be routed through Presidential Liaison Officers, and no request for gazetting an Act of the National Assembly will be entertained by the Printing Press unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or his authorised representative,” it said.

The statement concluded by appreciating the public.

“The National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in strengthening transparency, accountability, and professionalism in the legislative process,” it added.

Source: Punch

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National Assembly Commences Internal Review of Disputed Tax Laws

Boluwatife Ajayi — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 16:34:04 +0000

The National Assembly has initiated an internal investigation into allegations that certain provisions of the recently passed tax reform laws were altered after approval by lawmakers and presidential assent.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Information for the Senate, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah.

The move followed growing public controversy over the legislative process that led to the passage, assent and gazetting of 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.

According to the statement, concerns had been raised in the public space over the harmonisation of the bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the assent granted by the President, and the versions of the Acts subsequently published in the Official Gazette.

“The Leadership and management of the National Assembly are addressing these matters strictly within its constitutional and statutory mandate,” the statement said.

It added that the relevant committees of the National Assembly, working with its management, had commenced an internal review to clarify the issues raised.

“Accordingly, the relevant Committees, in collaboration with the Management of the National Assembly, are conducting an internal review,” it stated.

The Senate noted that the exercise was being carried out in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, LFN 2004, the Standing Orders of both chambers, and established parliamentary practice.

As part of the process, the leadership directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to work with relevant agencies to ensure the proper publication of the Acts and the issuance of certified true copies to stakeholders and members of the public on request.

“In the course of this review, and for the purpose of ensuring clarity, accuracy, and sanctity of the legislative record, the Leadership has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to facilitate, in collaboration with the relevant agencies, the publication of the Acts in the Official Gazette and to issue certified true copies of the assented Acts on demand to any stakeholder or the general public,” the statement read.

The National Assembly stressed that the action was administrative and intended only to authenticate and formally reflect legislative decisions already taken.

“This administrative action is intended solely to authenticate and formally reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly,” it added.

The leadership further clarified that the review did not imply any defect in the exercise of legislative powers by either chamber, nor did it encroach on the responsibilities of other arms of government.

“The review is confined to institutional processes and procedures and does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by either Chamber,” the statement said.

It reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to constitutionalism, separation of powers and due process, assuring that any procedural or administrative lapses discovered would be addressed in line with the law.

Members of the public were urged to allow the internal processes of the legislature to run their course without speculation or interference.

“The leadership of both Chambers remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as the custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement added.

The development came two days after a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed tax reform laws, which are scheduled to take effect in January.

Ndume made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, amid claims and counterclaims that the tax laws were altered after being passed by the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged discrepancies in Nigeria’s gazetted tax laws pledged to submit its report as soon as its work is concluded.

The Chairman of the Committee, Muktar Betara, gave the assurance following the inaugural meeting of the panel, which was held in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly, directed its Clerk to re-gazette the nation’s tax laws and issue Certified True Copies of the versions passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, following allegations of alterations to the laws.

The decision was disclosed in a statement released in Abuja by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi.

His appeal followed protests by opposition politicians and civil society organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, calling on the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the laws.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that the controversy surrounding the tax reforms could undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process.

Osigwe said the issues struck at the heart of constitutional governance and called for an open and transparent investigation to restore public confidence.

The controversy was further heightened last week when a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, alleged that the version of the tax laws published in the Official Gazette differed from the final copies passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President for assent.

Source: Punch

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Ndume Urges Tinubu to Suspend Controversial Tax Reform Acts

Boluwatife Ajayi — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:05:19 +0000

Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed Tax Reform Acts amid rising controversy surrounding their passage.

Ndume appealed in a statement issued in Abuja, citing claims and counter-claims over alleged alterations to the tax laws after they were passed by the National Assembly.

The appeal comes amid protests by opposition politicians and civil society organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, which have demanded that the Federal Government halt the implementation of the laws.

Reacting, Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, urged Tinubu to set up an ad hoc committee to verify the authenticity of the laws and investigate the alleged alterations.

The former Senate Chief Whip warned that implementing the laws without resolving the allegations would create legitimacy challenges and undermine public trust.

He said, “With the controversy surrounding it, the President should constitute a team to verify the veracity of the claim and act accordingly.

“As a responsive leader that he has always been, he should look into it to find out whether the claim of alterations was genuine so that he will do the needful to bring the controversy to rest.

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NASS Pushes 2025 Fiscal Year to March

Boluwatife Ajayi — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:47:51 +0000

The National Assembly approved a revised N43.5tn 2024 Appropriation Act and a reworked N48.3tn 2025 budget framework, with the 2025 fiscal year extended to March 31, 2026, a major fiscal reset aimed at addressing revenue shortfalls, weak capital execution, and overlapping budget cycles.

The approval followed marathon plenary sessions in both chambers, culminating in the passage of the Appropriation Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bills for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, transmitted to the legislature by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

At the Senate, the revised budgets were approved after the adoption of a consolidated report of the Committee on Appropriations, presented by its chairman, Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West).

The exercise, lawmakers said, was designed to align Nigeria’s budget architecture with current fiscal realities, address implementation gaps and restore discipline to the budgeting process.

Presenting the report, Adeola explained that the core objective of the bills was to repeal earlier budget provisions and replace them with revised figures that reflect prevailing revenue constraints, debt sustainability concerns and emerging national priorities.

According to him, the 2024 Appropriation Act was repealed from the original N35.005 trillion and re-enacted with an aggregate expenditure of N43.561tn, with details covering statutory transfers, debt servicing, recurrent and capital expenditure fully captured in the committee’s report.

On the 2025 fiscal year, Adeola disclosed that the earlier N54.99tn Appropriation Act was repealed and replaced with a revised total expenditure of N48.316tn, noting that part of the capital expenditure was rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year due to funding constraints highlighted during the presidential budget presentation.

He revealed that extensive engagement between the committee and the economic management team informed the decision to repeal and re-enact the budgets, particularly to address concerns around revenue performance, debt exposure and effective implementation.

Highlighting key adjustments, Adeola said an additional N8.5tn was injected into the capital component of the 2024 budget to fund special interventions in response to security, humanitarian and economic emergencies facing the country.

He added that the revised framework was structured to balance responsiveness with fiscal responsibility, ensuring that debt-related spending does not erode legislative oversight or fiscal prudence.

For the 2025 budget, the committee observed that N6.674tn was removed from the capital allocation and deferred to the 2026 fiscal year to enhance budget effectiveness in anticipation of improved revenue inflows.

Adeola also warned against the continued practice of running multiple budget cycles concurrently, stressing that extending the lifespan of one budget while another is already in force undermines fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability.

Based on these findings, the committee recommended that the Senate approved the repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 Appropriation Act to authorise total expenditure of N43.5tn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, alongside the revised N48.3tn framework for the 2025 fiscal year, and extend the implementation of the 2025 budget to March 31, 2026.

The Senate subsequently passed the bills for third reading after exhaustive debate.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also passed the revised N43.56tn 2024 budget and the N48.31tn 2025 budget after considering and adopting the report of its Committee on Appropriations.

The passage followed clause-by-clause consideration of the estimates at the Committee of Supply and their subsequent approval at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

A breakdown of the revised 2024 budget shows that N1.74tn was earmarked for statutory transfers, N8.27tn for debt servicing, N11.26tn for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, while N22.27tn is allocated to capital expenditure and development fund contributions for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

For the revised 2025 budget, N3.64tn is provided for statutory transfers, N14.31tn for debt service, N13.58tn for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N16.76tn for capital expenditure through development fund contributions.

Like the Senate version, the 2025 budget is expected to run until March 31, 2026.

President Tinubu, in his communication to the National Assembly, explained that the revisions were necessitated by the need to accommodate budgetary items previously omitted and to adjust capital implementation targets in line with Nigeria’s execution capacity and revenue realities.

He said the revised framework reflects a more realistic capital implementation benchmark of 30 per cent.

The president acknowledged persistent weaknesses in the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget, noting that these challenges significantly undermined infrastructure delivery and development projects nationwide.

According to him, extending the lifespan of the 2025 budget to March 31, 2026, would allow Ministries, Departments and Agencies adequate time to access and utilise the targeted 30 per cent capital releases.

Tinubu said the approach forms part of a broader fiscal reform agenda aimed at correcting structural flaws in Nigeria’s budgeting process, including the long-standing problem of overlapping budgets.

He stressed that ending the practice of running multiple budgets simultaneously would improve planning, enhance implementation, and strengthen transparency and accountability in public expenditure.

The president added that the revised budget framework is designed to deliver more credible budget performance, better coordination of government programmes and improved value for money for Nigerians.

Source: Punch

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Tinubu Submits ₦58.18trn 2026 budget to National Assembly

Boluwatife Ajayi — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:40:17 +0000

President Bola Tinubu has presented a ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, outlining tougher security measures, stricter fiscal discipline, and deeper economic reforms.

Presenting the proposal, tagged “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” the President said the budget is aimed at consolidating recent macroeconomic gains, restoring investor confidence, and translating economic recovery into jobs and improved living standards for Nigerians.

Tinubu, who began his address at 3:31 pm, described the moment as “defining” in Nigeria’s reform journey, acknowledging the hardship caused by reforms over the past two and a half years while assuring Nigerians that their sacrifices were not in vain.

“I appear before this Joint Session of the National Assembly, in fulfilment of my constitutional duty, to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill,” the President said.

Source: Nation

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National Assembly Calls on FG to Name Terrorism Financiers, Impose Death Penalty for Kidnapping

Boluwatife Ajayi — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:05:22 +0000

Nigeria’s National Assembly has intensified pressure on the Federal Government to publicly identify and prosecute financiers of terrorism as lawmakers in both chambers advanced sweeping security reforms aimed at curbing the country’s worsening insecurity.

During separate plenary sessions, the Senate and House of Representatives pushed for tougher measures against terrorism backers and kidnappers. The Senate went further, endorsing capital punishment for kidnappers and anyone who funds, supports or provides intelligence to them, as it considered amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

The amendment bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, seeks to classify kidnapping, hostage-taking and related crimes as acts of terrorism, a move he said would strengthen the powers of security agencies to track and dismantle criminal networks.

Bamidele argued that kidnapping had evolved into a commercialised and militarised activity bearing all the hallmarks of terrorism, warning that its spread had devastated families, crippled economic activity and overstretched security forces.

Under the proposed law, offenders, including informants, logistics suppliers and harbourers would face the death penalty. Attempts, conspiracy or incitement to kidnap would attract the same punishment.

Key senators, including Adams Oshiomhole, Orji Uzor Kalu and Minority Leader Abba Moro, backed the proposal, with Oshiomhole insisting that deradicalisation programmes for terror suspects should be discontinued.

After extensive debate, the Senate referred the bill to its Committees on Judiciary, National Security, and Interior for further legislative work, with a two week deadline to report back.

In the House of Representatives, lawmakers also demanded the public naming and prosecution of terrorism sponsors as they debated a security report presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

One of the key resolutions adopted was the call for open, transparent and expedited terrorism-related prosecutions, alongside the creation of a Special Court for terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

The House recommended placing all security expenditure on first-line charge to ensure predictable funding, strengthening cashless systems to curb ransom payments, and boosting digital monitoring capacities across financial institutions.

Lawmakers also debated President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police guards from VIPs. While some members argued for redeploying officers to core policing duties, the House resolved that police protection should be limited to serving national officers such as governors and judicial leaders.

Further resolutions included reviewing the military’s ‘super-camp’ strategy, increasing security presence in volatile regions, enhancing protection for schools and other soft targets, and reactivating CCTV surveillance nationwide. The House also endorsed expedited constitutional amendments to establish state police.

With rising concerns over misinformation and AI-driven harmful content, lawmakers urged a balanced regulatory framework for digital platforms. They also called for improved tracking of weapons, massive recruitment into security agencies, enhanced welfare for personnel, and the creation of a National Fallen Heroes Support Fund.

Other proposals included banning ransom payments by government entities, creating a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation with the United States, and expanding trauma and relief interventions in affected communities.

The resolutions will be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.

Source: Punch

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States Rally Behind Push for State Police Amid Escalating Insecurity

Boluwatife Ajayi — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:07:03 +0000

Amid rising killings, mass abductions, and widening security failures across Nigeria, several state Houses of Assembly are moving to back the creation of state police, a long-debated reform President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to legalise as part of ongoing constitutional amendments.

With fewer than 400,000 police officers for a population exceeding 200 million, large swathes of rural communities remain unprotected.

Tinubu recently declared a security emergency, directing increased recruitment into the police and armed forces, and urged lawmakers to create a legal pathway for states to run their own police services.

State assemblies across the country appear prepared to act once the constitutional amendment is transmitted to them.

In Plateau, one of the regions hardest hit by violent attacks, lawmakers say they are ready to support state police.

Speaker Daniel Naalong, in an open letter to the National Assembly, argued that saving lives must outweigh concerns about potential political misuse of state-controlled forces.

Communities in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Mangu, Riyom, Wase, Qua’an Pan, and Jos South have faced repeated deadly raids and mass displacement.

Sokoto lawmakers also expressed readiness to hasten any state police legislation, citing the success of the state’s Community Guard Corps. The Northern Governors’ Forum has similarly endorsed coordinated state-level policing as a tool to curb rising attacks.

The Borno Assembly, through its spokesperson Babakura Maina, said it would begin work once the amendment reaches state legislatures.

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani has called for immediate decentralisation of policing, warning that the current centralised structure can no longer protect the population.

Zamfara, the epicentre of banditry, plans to submit its own state police bill soon. The government says the state has long awaited such reforms and has already set up Community Protection Guards.

In Kano, the Assembly will commence consideration of the proposal upon resumption, while the governor’s office noted that the state already operates a Neighbourhood Watch to support security agencies.

Ondo State insists it is already running a functioning state police model through the Amotekun Corps, which recently received approval to recruit 500 additional personnel.

Some states, including Gombe and Nasarawa, say deliberations will begin once the National Assembly forwards the amendment.

Across the federation, consensus is growing on the need for decentralised policing. But without constitutional change, states remain unable to legally establish their own police forces. Citizens now await the National Assembly’s next steps to provide the legal framework for state police and bolster the fight against nationwide insecurity.

Source: Punch

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Tinubu Declares Security Emergency as Lawmakers Oppose Talks With Bandits

Afinju FM — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:45:56 +0000

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, directing the military, police, and intelligence agencies to expand recruitment and deploy thousands of new personnel.

The President also asked the National Assembly to begin work on creating state police, as kidnappings and terrorist attacks continue to rise.

But several Senators and House members criticised the Federal Government for negotiating with bandits who abducted students in Kebbi and Niger States and church members in Kwara.

They demanded an end to the talks and called for punishment for the official who ordered the withdrawal of troops from a girls’ school in Kebbi shortly before dozens of students were kidnapped.

Recent attacks include the abduction of more than 300 pupils and teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State, the kidnapping of 24 students from a girls’ school in Kebbi, and the killing of two worshippers during an attack on a church in Kwara. Some victims escaped, and the rest were later freed.

The wave of abductions has forced many schools across northern states to shut down, and the Federal Government has closed dozens of Federal Unity Colleges as a precaution.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the decision to negotiate, saying security forces avoided direct confrontation because the kidnappers were using hostages as human shields. He also denied that any ransom was paid.

Source: Punch

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JAMB Officials Walk Out on Reps Committee

Afinju FM — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:21:22 +0000

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, was absent and sent a Director, Mufutau Bello, to represent him. Trouble started when Bello asked journalists to leave the meeting room, saying the documents he brought contained sensitive information.

The Committee refused, insisting that its proceedings were public. Bello then became agitated, ordered his team to leave, and walked out, leaving lawmakers shocked.

Angered by the action, the Committee instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB officials, but they had already left the building.

The Committee has now ordered the JAMB Registrar to appear in person with his management team and all required documents by next week Tuesday, warning that failure to comply could lead to a warrant of arrest.

Source: Channels

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National Assembly Proposal to Move 2027 Elections to 2026 Splits Opposition

Afinju FM — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:29:06 +0000

The change is part of proposed amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act. It aims to move the elections forward by six months to ensure all election-related court cases are resolved before the May 29 handover date. The amendment mandates that presidential and governorship elections must occur no later than 185 days before the end of the incumbent’s term. A similar rule is proposed for legislative elections.

Lawmakers say this would eliminate the current situation where elected officials assume office while legal challenges to their victory remain unresolved. The House Committee on Electoral Matters, led by Adebayo Balogun, supports the move, stating it would give ample time for courts to resolve all election petitions.

To further expedite the legal process, the committee proposed reducing the time allocated for tribunal judgments from 180 to 90 days, with appeals and Supreme Court rulings expected to wrap up within the 185-day window.

Other key proposals include early voting for security personnel, election officials, observers, journalists, and ad hoc staff, to be held no later than 14 days before the main election. The amendment also introduces mandatory electronic and manual transmission of results and removes the requirement for permanent voter cards.

INEC has backed the changes, describing them as steps toward greater electoral transparency and efficiency. However, opposition parties remain divided.

The PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, accused the National Assembly of attempting to extend President Bola Tinubu’s tenure under the guise of reform, arguing that real reform should focus on legalizing technologies like BVAS and ensuring real-time result transmission.

The NNPP’s spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, warned that shifting the election date could unfairly favor the ruling party, giving them more time to prepare while catching opposition parties off guard.

In contrast, the Labour Party welcomed the idea, noting it would reduce costs and tension and allow for better resolution of legal challenges before officials are sworn in. The party also supported the idea of holding all elections on the same day to reduce the bandwagon effect.

The African Democratic Congress said it would respond officially after reviewing the full draft of the amendment.

Meanwhile, Obidient Movement leader Yunusa Tanko urged the National Assembly to engage in broader public consultation before making such changes, warning against decisions driven by political self-interest.

Source: Punch

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