Deputy Spokesperson for House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has dismissed allegations that the recently passed tax laws were falsified, describing the claims as misleading and capable of undermining public confidence in the legislature.
Agbese made the clarification during an interview on Sunday in Abuja while reacting to assertions by Sen. Ali Ndume (Borno South) that discrepancies existed between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the version assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
According to the House deputy spokesperson, the allegations by Ndume were not only mischievous but also capable of creating unnecessary tension and generate public distrust in the legislature.
He explained that it was wrong for anyone to suggest that the national assembly altered the provisions of the tax laws, stressing that both chambers were committed to transparency and accountability.
According to him, the House has already taken proactive steps by setting up a committee to examine concerns surrounding the tax legislations, making insinuations of cover-up or legislative fraud unfounded.
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“It is sheer mischief to suggest that the tax laws were falsified,” he said.
Agbese, who said that the matter should not be politicised or sensationalised, noted that there are legislative review mechanisms to address genuine errors or ambiguities where they exist.
He said: “This is exactly why the House set up a committee—to clarify the facts. Nigerians should not be misled into thinking that lawmakers are acting in bad faith.”
The deputy spokesperson said that lawmaking must be built on facts and due process, warning that speculative narratives could distract the legislators from their efforts at reforming Nigeria’s tax system in the overall public interest.
