The Nigerian Senate has underlined that it is committed to moving forward with the Tax Reform Bills, emphasising that no part of the legislative process has been withdrawn or suspended.
During Thursday’s plenary, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio declared that the upper house stays committed to its mission of representing the interests of Nigerians and will not be deterred by outside pressure.
In response to a point of order brought up by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Akpabio denied media reports indicating that discussions on the legislation had been halted or abandoned.
The Senate President further declared that “the Senate cannot be bullied,” dismissing any attempts to exert pressure on the institution. “Any measure that we believe will benefit Nigerians will be implemented. These laws include elements that are best for the general population.”
In his speech, the Senate leader also urged the public to concentrate on the facts and warned against false information received from media sources or social media.
Debate over the tax reform bills has not been halted or withdrawn. It is hardly democratic to attempt to frighten the Senate. As executive communications, these bills can only be withdrawn by the executive branch. We continue to be unwavering in our legislative duties.
By declaring that “we don’t take orders from anyone or any office, no matter how highly placed,” he reaffirmed the legislature’s independence.
Senator Akpabio emphasised that the Senate is taking its time and will thoroughly review the bills present in the House. As a result, the Senate has taken additional legislative actions on the bills, such as forming a special committee that represents Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to interact with Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), on controversial matters.
Public hearings and talks with stakeholders, including governors, religious leaders, and business leaders, are essential to resolving any ambiguities, the Senate President stressed.
If six weeks isn’t enough, we’ll give it more time. He declared, “We are dedicated to openness and resolving all issues.”
A committee was established by the Senate on Wednesday to examine the contentious tax reform bills that are at the National Assembly’s table.
The Committee, led by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), the minority leader, will meet with Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi to discuss the bills’ ambiguities and return them to the Senate before a public hearing, according to Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who chaired plenary on Wednesday.
According to Barau, the Senate and the government’s executive branch both agreed that all of the problems producing differences in the bills needed to be resolved.
There has been strong opposition to the four tax reform bills that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent to the National Assembly in October, particularly from the country’s northern region.
