The Chairman of the House Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee, Afam Ogene, has attributed the alterations discovered in the officially gazetted version of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax law to what he described as executive rascality. Ogene made this position known on Friday while responding to questions during an interview on Arise Television, which was monitored by LMSINT MEDIA. According to the lawmaker, the inconsistencies identified in the new tax legislation can largely be traced to the overzealous conduct of certain officials within the executive arm of government. He suggested that such actions may have resulted in unauthorized modifications that deviated from what was lawfully approved by the National Assembly. He explained that within parliamentary procedure, committees are typically granted seven to fourteen days to submit a comprehensive report once they are constituted. In situations where the allotted timeframe proves insufficient, the committee is expected to present an interim report to the authority that established it, clearly stating the reasons additional time is required to complete a more detailed investigation. Ogene stated that the committee he chairs was instructed to conclude its work within seven days, which prompted an initial assessment rather than a full investigative conclusion. As a result, the committee’s immediate task was to confirm whether the reported discrepancies truly existed. “So far, what we have done is to establish that these issues are real,” he noted, adding that further efforts are necessary to determine who was responsible for the alterations, whether acting as individuals or on behalf of corporate interests. The legislator emphasized that the nature of the discrepancies strongly points to excessive enthusiasm on the part of some executive officials. He summarized this conduct as executive rascality, noting that there is often a mistaken belief within the executive branch that bills initiated by them should be returned unchanged after legislative consideration. While he avoided using the phrase “rubber stamp,” Ogene stressed that the National Assembly is not designed to merely approve executive submissions without scrutiny. He remarked that legislative work does not operate on a “garbage in, garbage out” basis, underscoring the importance of the 360 lawmakers who collectively serve to review, debate, and refine proposed legislation. He further outlined the established lawmaking process, which includes a first reading, second reading, public hearings, and deliberations by the Committee of the Whole. This is followed by harmonization between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Once this process is concluded, the Clerk of the National Assembly is responsible for preparing a clean and accurate copy of the bill. This final version is then transmitted to the President, with the expectation that it faithfully reflects what was duly passed by the National Assembly. Ogene maintained that any deviation from this process undermines legislative integrity and raises serious concerns about accountability within the executive arm.
IntroductionThe South-East Senate Caucus has withheld its support for President Bola Tinubu’s controversial tax reform bills, urging for broader consultations with stakeholders before their passage. The caucus emphasized the importance of inclusivity and fairness in framing policies that impact Nigerians. Caucus Position on Tax Reform BillsFollowing a closed-door meeting on Monday in Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s office (APGA, Abia South), the caucus declared its stance. While not outrightly opposing the reforms, the senators stressed that further engagement with key stakeholders is crucial. Senator Abaribe, speaking for the caucus, noted: “As senators from the South-East, we are not against the Tax Reform Bills. However, we insist on wider consultations with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts, state governments, and other critical stakeholders in our zone.” Call for Stakeholder EngagementThe caucus emphasized that consultations with constituents, state governments, and other stakeholders across the South-East’s 15 senatorial districts are essential. These discussions would ensure that the final bill reflects regional equity and addresses specific concerns. Abaribe added: “We need to share insights with stakeholders to guarantee inclusiveness and effective legislation.” Concerns Over the Bill’s ProvisionsOne of the most contentious elements of the proposed tax reforms is the Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula. Northern governors have rejected the current proposal, arguing it would disadvantage their region. Similarly, the South-East Caucus believes the bill requires careful review to address regional disparities. ConclusionThe South-East Senate Caucus insists that meaningful consultations are a prerequisite for the tax reform bills’ passage. Their position underscores the importance of inclusive governance and equitable policy frameworks in Nigeria’s legislative process. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
