By Muhammad Mamman
The House of Representatives has formally distanced itself from an interim report released by its Minority Caucus on proposed tax reforms, insisting that the document does not reflect the position of the Green Chamber.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the House leadership said the report was prepared without the authorisation of the plenary and should therefore be regarded as the personal views of its authors. It stressed that only reports adopted by the House in plenary constitute official legislative positions.
According to the statement, the Minority Caucus neither sought nor received a mandate to present an interim assessment of the tax bills currently before the National Assembly. As a result, the House cautioned the public, stakeholders and the media against attaching official weight to the document.
“The House of Representatives has not considered, debated or adopted any interim report on the tax reform bills,” the statement said. “Any such document remains unofficial and does not represent the collective will or resolution of the House.”
The House further clarified that deliberations on the tax reform bills are ongoing, with relevant committees continuing consultations with experts, government agencies and other stakeholders. It reiterated its commitment to a transparent and inclusive legislative process aimed at producing laws that promote economic growth, equity and fiscal sustainability.
While acknowledging the right of caucuses and individual lawmakers to express opinions, the House emphasised that internal disagreements should not be misconstrued as institutional decisions.
The leadership assured Nigerians that any final report on the tax laws would be presented to the plenary for full debate and approval before being communicated as the official position of the House.
