A member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, has raised alarm over alleged alterations to the newly gazetted tax laws, claiming they differ from the versions passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.
Dasuki brought the issue before his colleagues under a matter of privilege during Wednesday’s plenary session, insisting that the gazetted copies currently in circulation do not fully reflect the harmonised bills approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Addressing the House, Dasuki said his legislative privilege had been breached, noting that he participated in the passage of the tax bills and subsequently discovered discrepancies after reviewing the gazetted laws. He explained that he examined the gazetted copies alongside the votes and proceedings of the House and the Senate, as well as the harmonised versions agreed by both chambers, and found notable differences in some clauses.
The lawmaker called on the Speaker to intervene by comparing the harmonised bills with the gazetted versions, warning that the situation posed serious constitutional concerns. “What was passed on this floor is not what is gazetted,” he said.
He urged that all relevant documents be presented before the Committee of the Whole to enable lawmakers collectively identify the discrepancies and make the necessary amendments. Dasuki described the development as a breach of the Constitution and legislative procedure, cautioning that allowing it to stand could undermine the authority of the National Assembly.
