By Atoyebi Nike
A civil society coalition known as the Patriots has declared its support for the National Assembly’s decision to re-gazette the Tax Acts 2025, amid ongoing controversy over alleged alterations between the versions passed by lawmakers and those reportedly circulating within government agencies.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Muhammad Dauda, the group said its independent assessment confirmed that the tax laws, as approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives, remain intact and free from material discrepancies.
The group’s intervention comes amid rising public concern following claims that some provisions of the newly enacted tax laws were modified after legislative passage. The allegations triggered widespread debate among lawmakers, tax experts, and civil society organizations, raising fears that any post-legislative changes could weaken parliamentary authority and legal certainty.
Responding to the controversy, the House of Representatives recently resolved to investigate the claims and set up an ad hoc committee to examine the versions of the Tax Acts passed by the legislature, the harmonized conference reports, and the copies published in the Official Gazette. The House also directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to release Certified True Copies of the Acts to the public to enhance transparency and restore confidence in the legislative process.
Reacting to these steps, the Patriots expressed confidence in the leadership of the National Assembly, insisting that the authoritative versions of the laws are contained in the Votes and Proceedings of both chambers. The group noted that the records of proceedings dated May 28, 2025, were published the following day and have remained in circulation since then.
According to the coalition, a detailed comparison of the harmonized versions of the laws, the Votes and Proceedings, and the conference reports revealed no substantive differences. The group also addressed claims of conflicting gazetted versions, stressing that gazetting is an administrative function meant to notify the public of laws already enacted, not to amend or rewrite legislation.
Citing judicial precedents, including decisions of the Supreme Court, the Patriots argued that parliamentary records take precedence over administrative publications. While acknowledging that allegations of alterations are serious, the group maintained that such claims must be proven through lawful processes.
The coalition endorsed the decision to re-gazette the Tax Acts as the appropriate corrective step, warning that calls for suspension, repeal, or re-enactment of the laws could create unnecessary legal and fiscal uncertainty. It also welcomed the move to issue Certified True Copies of the Acts, describing it as a measure that would strengthen transparency and public trust.
The Patriots urged the public to respect parliamentary records, support the re-gazetting process, and refrain from actions or narratives that undermine democratic institutions, saying its position was guided by the national interest and the need to uphold good governance.
