The Nigerian Senate reversed itself just 24 hours after withdrawing the controversial Tax Reform Bill on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Senate suspended the planned public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance and set up a special committee to review the controversial Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over plenary on Wednesday, directed the committee, which is headed by Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), to meet with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to address grey areas in the bills and revert to the Senate before the public hearing.
Barau noted that the executive arm of the government agreed with the Senate that all the issues causing disagreements in the bills must be resolved.
Senate Makes U-turn
But on Thursday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio appeared to overrule his deputy and reaffirmed the upper chamber’s commitment to advancing the bills, stressing that no aspect of the legislative process had been suspended or withdrawn.
Mr Akpabio said the Senate is focused on its mandate to represent Nigerians’ interests and will not be “bullied” by external pressures.
His comments came amid a point of order raised by the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. Akpabio dismissed reports in the media suggesting that deliberations on the bills had been suspended or withdrawn.
Dismissing any attempts to pressure the chamber, the Senate President stated, “The Senate cannot be bullied. Any reform that we are convinced serves the interest of Nigerians will proceed. These bills contain provisions that are in the public’s best interest.”
“We have not suspended or withdrawn deliberations on the tax reform bills. Any attempt to intimidate the Senate is undemocratic. These bills are executive communications; only the executive arm can withdraw them. We remain steadfast in our legislative responsibilities.”
Akpabio added, “We don’t take orders from anyone or any office, no matter how highly placed.”
However, the Senate President agreed that a special committee representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones has been established to engage with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, to address contentious issues.
The Senate President explained that any uncertainties will be resolved through public engagement and consultations with stakeholders, including governors, religious leaders, and business leaders.
“If six weeks are insufficient, we will extend the time. We are committed to transparency and addressing all concerns,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu returned to the country late Wednesday night after traveling to France and South Africa.
The president is known to be insistent on pushing through the bill, although influential stakeholders, including the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the constitutionally-created National Economic Council (NEC), recommend it be suspended.
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