By Paul Effiong
Leadership of the National Assembly has finally bowed to public outcry on tax reform laws and is set to address growing public commentary surrounding the legislative process that culminated in the passage, presidential assent and gazetting of four major fiscal laws, including the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 along with the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Information, Clerk to the National Assembly, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, and made available to journalists, yesterday.
According to the statement, the commentary in the public space has raised questions about the harmonisation of the Bills passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the assent granted by the president and the versions of the Acts subsequently published in the Official Gazette.
The statement informed that the management of the National Assembly is concerned about public opinion and issues raised, and are being handled within its constitutional and statutory mandate.
Meanwhile, the statement also disclosed that relevant committees of the National Assembly are working alongside its management and has commenced an internal review of the issues raised, even as he also emphasized that the review is being conducted strictly in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, Standing Orders of both Ccambers and established parliamentary practice.
As part of efforts to ensure clarity, accuracy and the sanctity of the legislative record, the leadership has directed the clerk to the National Assembly to facilitate, in collaboration with relevant agencies, the publication of the assented Acts in the Official Gazette.
The clerk has also been mandated to issue certified true copies of the Acts to any stakeholder or member of the public on demand.
The National Assembly emphasized that the administrative steps being taken are solely for the purpose of authenticating and formally reflecting the legislative decisions already taken by both chambers.
It noted that the exercise is not an admission of any defect in the legislative process or authority of either the Senate or the House of Representatives.
The statement, however, clarified that the ongoing review is limited strictly to institutional processes and procedures and does not in any way prejudice the powers, functions or actions of other arms or agencies of government.
The clerk also reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to constitutionalism, separation of powers and due process.
The leadership of the National Assembly called on members of the public to allow its internal processes run their full course without speculation, while reassuring Nigerians of its commitment to transparency, accountability and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as the custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It would be recalled that some lawmakers in the two chambers had recently raised reservation over alleged different sections of the tax reform laws recently passed and asacented to by President Bola Tinubu.
