Reactions have continued to trail allegations by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki, that Nigeria’s newly passed tax laws were altered after approval by the National Assembly.
Dasuki, in a video that has gone viral on X, claimed that the version of the tax laws recently gazetted and released to the public differs from what lawmakers debated and passed on the floor of the House.
According to him, the changes observed are not minor clerical adjustments but significant alterations that violate the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, Dasuki stated that lawmakers approved one version of the bill, only for a different version to be officially published.
“What was passed on this floor is not what was gazetted. I voted on what we approved here, but what I am seeing now is completely different. This is a clear breach of the Constitution and should not be ignored,” he said.
Reacting to the claim, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, assured members that the leadership of the House would investigate the matter.
The allegation has since generated strong reactions from Nigerians on social media, with many describing the situation as alarming and dangerous for democracy.
A social media user identified as OurFaveOnlineDoc accused the executive arm of embarrassing the legislature, describing the alleged action as a new low for the country.
Human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, also weighed in, stating that if the allegation is confirmed, it would amount to an impeachable offence.
Another user, Obiasogu David, described the alleged alteration as “constitutional fraud.”
As of the time of filing this report, the presidency has not issued any official response to the allegation.
It will be recalled that the new tax law, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2025.
