The leadership of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, faced significant tests in 2025, with the controversy over newly gazetted tax laws being a primary challenge. This is according to the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Rep. Philip Agbese.
Navigating the Tax Law Crisis
In an interview on Wednesday, Agbese stated that the dispute, which erupted from claims that the official gazetted versions of tax laws differed from what was passed by the National Assembly, placed the 10th House under intense public scrutiny. The issue raised fundamental questions about the integrity of the legislative process and threatened to destabilise the parliament.
"The tax law issue was a serious test. It attracted public attention and could have destabilised the House," Agbese admitted. He credited the leadership's response, which was firmly rooted in parliamentary rules, for preventing the situation from escalating into a broader institutional crisis.
The matter was formally brought to the floor by Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki, sparking debates among lawmakers and concern outside the legislature. In reaction, the House leadership established a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged discrepancies. Furthermore, Speaker Abbas directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to begin the process of re-gazetting the laws to align them with the legislature's approved versions.
Internal Pressures and Legislative Calm
Beyond the tax bill, Agbese highlighted other internal pressures that marked the year. Tensions flared over recruitment into the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), but the leadership encouraged dialogue to prevent disruption. Similarly, ongoing friction concerning lawmakers' welfare and constituency projects was managed through continuous consultations between members and the House leadership.
Another highly sensitive moment was the House's deliberation on the potential declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Agbese noted that emotions ran high during these discussions. However, he stressed that deliberations were strictly guided by constitutional provisions and the House's Standing Orders, a approach that helped limit political divisions.
"Emotions were high, but the House followed laid-down procedures, which helped limit divisions," he explained.
Lessons for a Stronger 2026
Despite these multifaceted challenges, Agbese emphasised that the House of Representatives maintained its legislative momentum throughout 2025. The experiences, however, have provided crucial lessons for strengthening internal processes.
"As we move into 2026, the expectation is that the House will strengthen its internal processes, having drawn lessons from the controversies of the past year," Agbese concluded. The focus remains on upholding procedural integrity and ensuring the parliament's work continues unimpeded by political or procedural disputes.
