By Muhammad Mamman
Senator Ali Ndume has alleged that the tax reform law recently assented to by President Bola Tinubu differs from the version approved by the National Assembly, claiming that Nigerians were misled about the final content of the legislation.
Speaking during an interview with journalists, the senator expressed concern over what he described as discrepancies between the bill passed by lawmakers and the document ultimately signed into law. According to Ndume, the differences raise serious questions about transparency and legislative integrity.
“The tax law we passed is not what was signed. Nigerians were lied to,” he said, insisting that the National Assembly must clarify the situation to maintain public trust.
Ndume did not immediately provide detailed examples of the alleged changes but called for a thorough review of the legislative process that led to the signing. He stressed that tax laws directly affect citizens and businesses, making accuracy and openness essential.
The presidency and relevant government agencies have yet to formally respond to the claims. However, sources within the administration have previously maintained that all due processes were followed before the President’s assent.
Policy analysts note that any confirmed discrepancy between a passed bill and a signed law could trigger legal and constitutional debates, as well as possible calls for legislative scrutiny or amendment.
The development has stirred fresh debate around Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms, which the government says are aimed at improving revenue generation, widening the tax base, and strengthening fiscal stability.
Observers say the coming days may see increased engagement between the executive and legislative arms to address the concerns and reassure the public about the credibility of the reform process.
