Idris Says Claims of Altered Gazetted Tax Documents Now Before National Assembly Committee…
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has dismissed claims that multiple versions of Nigeria’s tax laws exist, insisting that the Federal Government recognises only one authentic version of the legislation.
Idris made the clarification on Monday in Abuja during a press briefing on the Federal Government’s achievements in 2025, where he responded to questions surrounding alleged discrepancies in the tax laws recently gazetted.
“As far as the government of Nigeria is concerned, there is only one version of that tax document,” the minister said.
He explained that the executive arm followed due process by presenting the tax bill to the National Assembly, where it was deliberated upon, passed, and subsequently transmitted back to the presidency.
“I am not aware of two versions. What I know is that the executive submitted the bill to the National Assembly, it was processed, passed, and returned to the executive,” Idris stated.
The minister acknowledged, however, that some lawmakers had raised concerns over possible inconsistencies, prompting the legislature to initiate its own review.
“What I heard is that members of the National Assembly have observed some discrepancies and have constituted a committee to look into the matter,” he said.
Idris stressed that the issue now falls squarely within the jurisdiction of the legislature, adding that the executive would await the outcome of the investigation.
“The National Assembly has set up a small committee to examine the matter, so we will wait for their findings,” he added.
The controversy began on December 17, when Abdussamad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives from Sokoto State, alleged that the tax laws made available to the public differed from those passed by lawmakers.
Following the allegation, the House of Representatives set up a seven-member committee to investigate the claimed discrepancies in the gazetted documents.
Also reacting to the issue, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, urged Nigerians to remain patient while the lawmakers conclude their review.
Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Oyedele said the National Assembly is best positioned to clarify the matter, as it was responsible for passing the bill before it was forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
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