Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reiterated the Senate’s dedication to pushing forward with the controversial tax reform legislation, highlighting their crucial role in Nigeria’s development.
During a plenary session on Thursday, Akpabio detailed the establishment of a committee headed by Senator Abba Moro to engage with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) regarding the disputed elements of the bills, a move he characterized as part of the Senate’s internal processes.
“Our mandate is to act in the best interest of Nigerians,” Akpabio stated, emphasizing that once a bill has passed its second reading in the Senate, it remains active. He further noted that it is the responsibility of the finance committee to initiate discussions and conduct public hearings.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) also clarified that there has been no suspension of discussions on the tax reform bills, refuting media claims that Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin had declared an indefinite halt to the proceedings during Wednesday’s session.
On that day, Senator Barau, who presided over the meeting, had indicated that the Senate Committee on Finance, led by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), would be pausing further actions on the bills. He additionally announced the creation of a special committee under Senator Moro to consult with the AGF on the issues raised.
However, invoking Senate Rule 42 on Thursday, Bamidele asserted, “Where is the documentation that states we have paused our deliberations on the tax reform bills? This Senate has not suspended, nor does it plan to suspend, the discussions on these bills.”
He further explained, “These bills are executive in nature and can only be withdrawn by the President. There is no justification for withdrawal, and the Senate Committee on Finance is diligently working to meet its six-week timeline, including holding public hearings. The bills are very much active.”
Attempts to verify whether the planned meeting between the Senate committee and the AGF had occurred were unsuccessful, as calls to Senator Moro, fellow committee members, and the AGF’s office went unanswered at the time of this report.
Support for Tax Reform Bills from South-South Senators
In a related update, 16 senators from the South-South region have expressed their backing for the proposed tax reform legislation. After a meeting on Wednesday, the caucus released a statement signed by Senator Seriake Dickson (Chairman) and Senator Jarigbe A. Jarigbe (Secretary), reaffirming their commitment to legislative efforts that promote peace, prosperity, and advancement in the country.
The statement read, “Acknowledging the significance of tax reforms in boosting national revenue and ensuring economic stability, we have resolved to support the tax reform bills. Our support will stem from a thorough analysis and careful assessment of the bills to guarantee they serve the best interest of Nigerians, especially the welfare of the South-South region.”
According to Daily Trust, the caucus also called for moderation from those seeking to introduce regional, ethnic, or tribal biases into the national discourse and expressed their willingness to engage in meaningful discussions and consultations initiated by the Senate.
Leave a Reply