Senate President Denies Tampering, Asserts Passed Tax Laws Are Authentic

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has firmly rejected allegations that newly enacted tax legislation was altered after being passed by the National Assembly. He stated that the laws signed by President Bola Tinubu are the true and accurate versions approved by lawmakers.

The statement was made during Wednesday’s plenary session in response to concerns raised by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dakuku. Dakuku had alleged there were discrepancies between the bills passed by the legislature and documents later circulated publicly.

“Any document circulating outside the officially certified versions should be disregarded,” Akpabio asserted, emphasizing that only the gazetted texts signed by the President reflect the National Assembly’s proceedings. He insisted there was “no adulteration whatsoever in the final laws.”

Akpabio explained that four tax Acts had completed the entire legislative processincluding presidential assent, gazetting, and certification by the Clerk to the National Assembly—to prevent any confusion. He stressed that these final documents incorporate all resolutions from the harmonization process between the Senate and the House of Representatives.

To counter misinformation, Akpabio directed the Senate Clerk to distribute certified copies directly to all senators. He cautioned that documents should only be issued through this official channel to prevent speculation.

In a separate legislative matter, the Senate postponed its review of a report from the Committee on Electoral Matters. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele cited the need for more review time and the absence of the committee’s chairman as reasons for the delay.

Supporting the decision, Akpabio emphasized the Senate’s commitment to thoroughness over speed, stating, “We don’t need to rush the report,” and reaffirming the chamber’s dedication to due process.