CSO Coalition Backs National Assembly, Says Allegations of Altered Tax Reform Acts ‘Lack Merit’
A coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of The Patriots has declared support for the leadership of the National Assembly over its decision to re-gazette the 2025 Tax Reform Acts, insisting that claims of alterations to the laws “do not hold water.”
In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja and signed by the Coordinator, Muhammad E. Dauda, the group said its review of the Senate and House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings of 28 May 2025, alongside the harmonised copies and Conference Reports, revealed no material discrepancies in the legislative records.
The group stressed that the Votes and Proceedings—published on 29 May 2025—remain the authoritative record of Parliament’s decisions and should not be undermined by unverified public claims.
Responding to allegations that two versions of the Acts may have appeared in the national gazette, The Patriots clarified that gazetting is merely an administrative function intended to notify the public and does not possess the authority to alter or amend laws duly passed by the legislature. The group referenced multiple court judgments affirming that administrative irregularities cannot override parliamentary intent.
“Any variance arising from administrative publication cannot override what both Houses of the National Assembly duly approved,” the statement noted, adding that those making allegations bear the burden of proof.
The coalition endorsed the National Assembly leadership’s directive to re-gazette the Acts in line with the harmonised clean copies, stating that calls to suspend implementation or repeal the laws were unnecessary and risked creating legal and fiscal instability.
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It also commended the directive to the Clerk of the National Assembly to issue Certified True Copies of the Acts to the public, describing the move as a boost to transparency and legal certainty.
Urging Nigerians to respect parliamentary records and avoid narratives capable of eroding democratic institutions, The Patriots maintained that its position was guided by national interest, good governance, and the need to safeguard legislative integrity.
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