Ali Ndume, a senator from Borno South in the National Assembly, has criticized Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, for asserting that the new tax bill passed by the Senate contains no inconsistencies.
During the Wednesday plenary, Akpabio reportedly stated that the new tax law is not tainted as the public had thought.
But Ndume disagreed with Akpabio in an interview on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” show, stating that the new tax is essentially defective.
Ndume claims that there are at least two copies of the Gazette for the new tax law, emphasizing that he was one of the people who pointed out the discrepancies between what President Bola Tinubu signed and what was passed.
Ndume pointed out that rather than claiming there is no adulteration, Akpabo should form a commission to investigate the disparities.
“We called the leadership to inform them that what we passed is not what the president signed,” he stated. Sen. Akpabio should form a committee to investigate, so I’m not sure why he is claiming that there are no disparities.
You would concur with me that even Taiwo Oyedele, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform, acknowledged that there are differences between the two versions of the tax law, or at least two versions, and that the National Assembly must take action if necessary.
“Whether or not there are disparities is not my concern. I’m concerned about conducting business behind closed doors. The people run this government, for the people, and by the people. And why, for heaven’s sake, would you conceal anything, even sensitive information?
“I find it surprising that the Senate President said there was no adulteration. He shouldn’t act in that way. “Okay, we’ll find out,” is what he should say. The House of Representatives has also established a committee to investigate.
I’ll speak with him about that. This is not something they can simply ignore. You understand why? It is impossible to develop on nothing or on contentious grounds.
What happens if someone goes to court right now? You believe they won’t be heard by the court? There is a lot of dispute and controversy surrounding their original approach.
