Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to advancing legislative actions on the controversial tax reform bills, insisting the Bill is in the interest of Nigerian populace. Reaffirming their commitment yesterday, Akpabio explained that the committee led by Senator Abba Moro, established to interface with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to fine-tune some gray areas of the Bill is part of the legislative process.
Akpabio said, “We are elected to work for the interest of Nigerians, “Once a bill passes a second reading in the Senate, it is alive. It is then up to the committee on finance to begin consultations and hold public hearings.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) clarified that contrary to media reports purporting that the Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin’s announced indefinite suspension of action on the bills during Wednesday’s plenary.
Recall on Wednesday, when the debate on the bill become heated, Senator Barau, who presided over the session, was quoted to have said that the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), will put the bill on hold further notice.
He added that a special committee led by Senator Moro was tasked to engage with the AGF on the directive of president Tinubu.
However, Bamidele, invoking Senate Rule 42 on Thursday, asked: “Where was it stated that we have suspended our proceedings on the tax reform bills? This Senate did not suspend and does not intend to suspend, deliberations on the tax reform bills.
“These bills are executive bills and can only be withdrawn by the President. There is no basis for their withdrawal, and the Senate Committee on Finance is actively working to meet its six-week deadline, including conducting a public hearing. The bills remain very much alive.”
It is yet to be confirmed whether the sitting between the AGF and the senate committee was successful.
South-South senators thrown weight behind the bills
In a related development, 16 senators from the South-South region have thrown their weight behind the proposed tax reform bills after they hold a regional caucus meeting yesterday.
This was made available in a communiqué signed by Senator Seriake Dickson (Chairman) and Senator Jarigbe A. Jarigbe (Secretary), who reiterated their commitment to fostering legislative initiatives that ensure the country’s peace, prosperity, and progress.
The south-south Senators urged restraint from individuals attempting to inject regional, ethnic, or tribal sentiments into the national dialogue and expressed readiness to participate in robust consultations and interactions initiated by the Senate.
