House of Representatives Declares Tax Reform Controversy Resolved with Certified True Copies Release
The House of Representatives has firmly asserted that the ongoing controversy surrounding the Tax Reform Acts has been conclusively laid to rest following the public release of the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the legislation. This statement comes in direct response to claims by the Minority Caucus, which had alleged that the laws were altered after their passage by the National Assembly.
Deputy Spokesperson Addresses Journalists in Abuja
During an interactive session with journalists held in Abuja on Saturday, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, emphasized that the interim report issued by the Minority Caucus ad-hoc committee on alleged alterations in the Tax Reform Acts has been overtaken by events. Agbese explained that the leadership of the National Assembly took decisive action to address concerns over discrepancies, particularly in the Nigeria Tax Administration Act of 2025.
The controversy initially erupted when the Minority Caucus constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate allegations that the versions of the Tax Reform Acts gazetted after presidential assent differed from what was originally passed by the legislature. In its interim findings, the committee raised alarms about multiple versions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act being in circulation and expressed concerns that procedural anomalies during alignment with the Federal Government Printing Press might have encroached on the constitutional law-making powers of the National Assembly.
Swift Legislative Action to Restore Confidence
However, Agbese detailed that under the leadership of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the House of Representatives moved swiftly to mitigate these issues. The immediate public release of the Certified True Copies of the four Tax Reform Acts, as passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, was a key step in this process.
According to Agbese, this proactive measure has effectively restored public confidence, reaffirmed the independence of the legislature, and provided much-needed clarity on the exact versions of the laws currently in force. "The controversy has been resolved. Nigerians now have access to the exact laws passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President. That settles the matter," Agbese stated unequivocally.
Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
In addition to the public release, Agbese revealed that Speaker Abbas Tajudeen directed an internal verification exercise to ensure that only the authentic versions of the laws remain in circulation. He described this move as a clear demonstration of the House's unwavering commitment to transparency, due process, and democratic accountability.
Agbese further noted that the coordinated response by the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly underscores a united legislature determined to safeguard its constitutional mandate and prevent any erosion of its law-making powers. While acknowledging the Minority Caucus's right to raise concerns in the interest of accountability, the Deputy Spokesperson maintained that the corrective measures already implemented have rendered further controversy unnecessary.
"The House acted swiftly and responsibly. The leadership did not wait for public pressure. The release of the Certified Acts has ensured that Nigerians are guided only by lawful and verified tax reform laws," he added.
Future Steps to Strengthen Legislative Procedures
Looking ahead, Agbese assured Nigerians that the House of Representatives will continue to work closely with the Senate and relevant institutions to strengthen legislative procedures and prevent a recurrence of similar issues. This commitment aims to uphold the integrity of the law-making process and ensure that such controversies do not undermine public trust in the nation's governance structures.
