HoBy Gloria Ikibah
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has expressed strong concern over the growing controversy surrounding Nigeria’s Tax Reform laws, pledging to stand with Nigerians to ensure transparency, accountability and justice.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda; Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isa; the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Madaki; and Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi on Sunday in Abuja. 
The caucus said it observed with great consternation and an overwhelming sense of disappointment the unfolding dispute over the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minority Caucus noted that while controversies around legislation are not unusual, the current situation raises serious concerns because it centres on allegations of unlawful alterations to laws already passed and assented to.
The caucus acknowledged that the matter was recently raised on the floor of the House, leading to the inauguration of a high-powered investigative committee. It assured Nigerians of its full support for efforts to uncover the truth.
The statement read: “The gravity of the cause of the controversy is an issue of great concern to all Nigerians, especially since it borders on the accusations of unlawful alterations to the laws as passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly and subsequently signed by the President.
“We want to assure Nigerians that the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives will stand with the entire House to see that the circumstances surrounding this illegality is exposed and the culprits brought to book in the interest of justice for all Nigerians.”
The caucus emphasised that the National Assembly remains the custodian of authentic laws of the federation.
The lawmakers also warned Nigerians against relying on any tax laws not properly authenticated, and that circulating fake laws poses a serious threat to democratic governance.
“The National Assembly is always the custodian of the genuine documents of the laws of the federation that have been passed, and, therefore, we will always make sure that it is the truth that prevails in moments of controversy such as this.
“We therefore call on Nigerians to disregard any purported tax laws being circulated without the signature of the Clerk to the National Assembly and the President and Commander in Chief.
“Any attempt to foist fake laws on Nigerians is an attack on the independence and constitutional role of the National Assembly in safeguarding our democracy, and the Caucus will unconditionally protect the independence of the Legislature and our democracy”, the statement further read.
The caucus therefore urged the Federal Government to halt enforcement of the tax laws pending the outcome of investigations, and reiterated that Nigerians and the business community deserve access to accurate copies of the laws they are expected to comply with.
“We call on the government to suspend the implementation of the tax laws until investigations are concluded and there is clarity and certainty of the law to be implemented”, it added.
