The National Assembly has directed that four key tax reform legislations be re-gazetted following public debate over alleged changes made after their passage, stressing that the step is an administrative measure meant to safeguard the credibility of the legislative process.
In a statement released on Friday by the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, the leadership of both chambers instructed the Clerk to the National Assembly to re-gazette the affected Acts and issue Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the versions “duly passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.”
The decision follows increasing public scrutiny surrounding the passage, presidential assent and subsequent publication in the Federal Government’s Official Gazette of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.
According to the House, the issues raised relate to “the harmonisation of Bills passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the documentation transmitted for Presidential assent, and the versions of the Acts subsequently published in the Official Gazette.”
Rotimi said the legislature was already addressing the concerns within the bounds of its constitutional authority.
“The House of Representatives wishes to assure the public that these matters are being addressed strictly within the constitutional and statutory remit of the National Assembly,” he said.
He disclosed that a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee was constituted last week after the matter was raised on the floor of the House through a Point of Order (Privileges).
Rotimi reiterated that the legislature was handling the situation strictly within its lawful mandate.
“The House of Representatives wishes to assure the public that these matters are being addressed strictly within the constitutional and statutory remit of the National Assembly,” he said.
He again noted that the House had constituted a seven-man Ad Hoc Committee after the issue was formally raised during plenary.
As part of the ongoing process, Rotimi said the leadership of the National Assembly, under Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen, ordered the re-gazetting exercise to remove any uncertainty.
“This administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly,” the House said.
The statement emphasized that the action should not be interpreted as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
“This review is strictly confined to institutional processes and procedures. It does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by the House of Representatives or the Senate,” the statement read.
It further clarified that the step was taken “without prejudice to the powers, functions, or actions of any other arm or agency of government” and would not affect “any rights, obligations, or legal processes arising under the Constitution or any other applicable law.”
Reaffirming its adherence to democratic standards, the House said it remains “firmly committed to the principles of constitutionalism, separation of powers, due process, and the supremacy of the rule of law.”
“Where procedural or administrative refinements are identified, appropriate corrective measures will be taken in accordance with the law and established parliamentary conventions,” Rotimi added.
The House also called on the public to remain calm.
“Members of the public are respectfully urged to allow the National Assembly’s institutional processes to proceed without speculation or conjecture,” the statement said, assuring that the House leadership remains committed to “transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The House said additional information would be made available as the review continues.
