Fresh controversy has erupted over Nigeria’s new tax laws following allegations by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsammad Dasuki, that the versions approved by lawmakers differ from those officially gazetted for public use.
Dasuki made the claim during a plenary session on Wednesday, accusing authorities of altering key sections of the legislation after it was passed by the National Assembly. In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the lawmaker insisted that the changes go beyond clerical adjustments and amount to a constitutional breach.
According to him, the document lawmakers voted on does not reflect the final version released to the public. “What was passed on this floor is not what is gazetted,” Dasuki said, adding that the discrepancy undermines legislative integrity and violates the Constitution.
Reacting to the allegation, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, assured lawmakers that the matter would be thoroughly investigated, promising that the House would review the concerns raised.
The claim has sparked strong reactions from Nigerians online, with many describing the alleged alteration as a serious democratic violation. Some commentators warned that, if proven, the action could amount to an impeachable offence.
Human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, described the allegation as grave, stating that any confirmed manipulation of legislation after parliamentary approval would warrant impeachment proceedings. Another social media user, Obiasogu David, characterised the situation as “constitutional fraud,” while others accused the executive of undermining the legislature.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency has not issued an official response to the allegations.
The new tax law, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.