Ndume Claims Tax Law Signed Was Never Passed

Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, has expressed disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding the integrity of the recently passed tax law.

During a plenary session, Akpabio claimed that the new tax law is free from discrepancies, contrary to public perception.

However, in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program, Ndume countered Akpabio’s assertion, emphasizing that the new tax law contains fundamental flaws.

He highlighted that there are at least two versions of the Gazette related to the tax law, noting that he helped identify discrepancies between what was passed by the Senate and what was ultimately signed by President Bola Tinubu.

Ndume noted that Akpabo ought to set up a committee to find out the discrepancies rather than saying there is no adulteration.

He said, “We called the leadership to let them know that what we passed is not what the president signed. I don’t know why Sen. Akpabio is saying there are no discrepancies when he should set up a committee to find out.

“You will agree with me that even the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on tax reform, Taiwo Oyedele, admitted that they are differentials, two versions, or at least two versions of the tax law, and that if something has to be done, it has to be the National Assembly.

“My problem is not whether there are discrepancies or not. I’m worried about doing things behind closed doors. This is government of the people, for the people and by the people. And for God’s sake, why would you hide anything, even if it is personal?

“I’m surprised that the Senate President said there’s no adulteration. He’s not supposed to do that. He’s supposed to say, okay, we’ll find out. Set up a committee, because the House of Representatives has done that too, to find out.

“I will talk to him on that. This is not something that they can just bury. You know why? You cannot build on nothing, or you cannot build on disputed grounds.

“What if somebody now goes to court? You think the court will not listen to them? The way they are going about it up initial is full of contradiction and controversy.”