Philip Agbese, who serves as the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has rebutted assertions made by Senator Ali Ndume from Borno South that the tax laws recently introduced were dishonest. He labeled Ndume's allegations as ‘sheer mischief.’
In a statement issued on Sunday, Agbese elucidated that Ndume's accusations were misleading and could potentially incite unnecessary tension and mistrust within the legislative body. He asserted that all legislative procedures were duly followed and underlined that any concerns regarding the tax laws are being resolved through established institutional channels.
Senator Ndume, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated on Wednesday that there were inconsistencies in the tax reform laws endorsed by President Bola Tinubu, claiming the federal government is not treating Nigerian citizens with the seriousness they deserve.
During his appearance on the Prime Time show airing on Arise Television, Ndume responded to ongoing debates sparked by the newly implemented tax legislation.
His remarks came following comments made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio earlier that day during a legislative session, where Akpabio dismissed claims regarding inconsistencies in the tax legislation.
Senate President Akpabio referred to the reports as misleading, insisting that the newly passed tax laws were accurately presented and not compromised in any way.
However, Ndume criticized Akpabio's viewpoint, asserting that the crux of the issue is not simply about discrepancies, but rather the absence of transparency in the handling of the matter.
“I am concerned not just about whether discrepancies exist; my worry is about the transparency of proceedings. This should be a government for the people and by the people,” he expressed.
Ndume further questioned the rationale behind concealing information, regardless of its nature, and expressed surprise at the Senate president's assertions of no fraudulence. He suggested that a committee ought to be established to investigate, similar to steps taken by the House of Representatives to clarify matters.
He concluded by stressing that the leadership of the National Assembly must address these issues with openness, asserting that lawmakers are entitled to express differing opinions without facing accusations of rebellion or undermining legislative authority.
In response to Senator Ndume's allegations, Agbese stated that it was inappropriate for anyone to allege that the National Assembly has altered or hidden elements of the tax laws, affirming that both legislative chambers are dedicated to ensuring transparency and accountability.
He urged Nigerians to refrain from politicizing or sensationalizing the issue, reminding them that there are legislative review mechanisms in place to correct legitimate mistakes or ambiguities if they arise.
“It is sheer mischief to imply that the tax laws were altered,” Agbese remarked, encouraging lawmakers to concentrate on constructive dialogue rather than speculative narratives that could detract from efforts to reform Nigeria's taxation system for the public benefit.
Background of the Dispute
The issue surrounding the tax Acts surfaced in December 2025 when Representative Abdulsamad Dasuki from Sokoto, a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), raised a privilege matter in the House.
He reported that he had compared the tax reform laws approved by the National Assembly with the versions published and found significant deviations, warning that this could threaten the integrity of the legislature.
The four primary laws at the center of this issue are the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025, which took effect on January 1.
Investigative Actions and Concurrent Findings
Following the discrepancies cited by Dasuki, the House formed a seven-member ad hoc committee to scrutinize how unauthorized versions of the tax laws circulated and if any alterations occurred outside of the legislative process.
To address the controversy, the House published Certified True Copies of the four tax Acts, along with the endorsement and assent pages signed by President Tinubu, for public verification. This initiative was mandated by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen aimed at clarifying the official texts and alleviating concerns regarding their authenticity.
In parallel, the House Minority Caucus, led by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda from Rivers, launched its own committee to undertake a separate review of the tax laws. This committee provided an interim report on January 23, which identified discrepancies between the laws authorized by the National Assembly and the versions published by the federal government.
Conversely, the House, through its spokesperson Akin Rotimi, rejected the findings of the Minority Caucus report, asserting that the official ad hoc investigative committee had not yet completed its assessment, hence its conclusions should be prioritized over preliminary claims.
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