The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has come under fire from Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, for asserting that the new tax bill passed by the Senate contains no inconsistencies.
According to reports, Akpabio stated during the Wednesday plenary that the new tax law is not as tainted as the public believes.
But Ndume disagreed with Akpabio in an interview on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” show, claiming that the proposed tax has serious flaws.
Ndume emphasizes that he was one among those who pointed out the discrepancies between what was passed and what President Bola Tinubu signed, claiming that there are at least two copies of the Gazette for the new tax law.
Ndume pointed out that instead of claiming there is no adulteration, Akpabo should form a commission to investigate the disparities.
“We called the leadership to let them know that what we passed is not what the president signed,” he stated. Why Sen. Akpabio is claiming there are no differences when he ought to form a committee to investigate is beyond me.
You would concur with me that even Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform, acknowledged that there are differences, two versions, or at least two versions of the tax law, and that the National Assembly must take action if necessary.
“I don’t care if there are differences or not. Doing things behind closed doors worries me. The people, for the people, and by the people run this country. And why in the world would you conceal anything, even if it were private?
“The Senate President’s statement that there is no adulteration surprises me. That’s not what he should be doing. He should respond, “Okay, we’ll find out.” Form a committee to investigate, as the House of Representatives has also done so.
“I’ll discuss that with him. They cannot simply bury this. Do you know why? You can’t build on disputed grounds or on nothing at all.
What happens if someone now appears in court? Do you believe they won’t be heard by the court? The initial approach they are taking is riddled with contradictions and disagreement.
