Table of Contents
A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), on Wednesday raised a matter of privilege in the House, claiming inconsistencies between the tax laws enacted by the National Assembly and the versions subsequently gazetted and made public.
Citing Order Six, Rule Two of the House Rules, Dasuki informed fellow lawmakers that his legislative privilege had been violated, arguing that the gazetted versions of the laws did not accurately reflect what was debated, approved, and passed on the floor of the House.
He stated that after the passage of the tax bills, he spent the last three days reviewing the gazetted copies alongside the House Votes and Proceedings, as well as the harmonized version agreed upon by both chambers of the National Assembly, and found significant discrepancies.
“I was present, I cast my vote, and it was counted, yet I am seeing something entirely different,” Dasuki remarked, adding that he obtained copies of the gazetted laws from the Ministry of Information and discovered inconsistencies with what was approved by both the House and the Senate.
The lawmaker clarified that his address was not intended as a motion, but rather to bring the House’s attention to what he described as a “serious violation” of legislative procedure and the Constitution.
He urged the Speaker to ensure that all critical documents, such as the harmonized versions, the Votes and Proceedings from both chambers, and the currently circulating gazetted copies, be submitted to the Committee of the Whole for thorough review by the members.
Dasuki cautioned that permitting laws that differ from those duly passed by the National Assembly to be released to the public would undermine the legislature’s credibility and constitute a violation of constitutional provisions.
“Mr. Speaker, I implore that all documents be presented before the Committee of the Whole. Thank you. All members should review what is in the gazetted copy and compare it to what they passed on the floor so that we can make the necessary amendments. Mr. Speaker, this is a violation of the Constitution.
“This is a breach of our laws, and it should not be overlooked by this honorable House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker,” he concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the matter of privilege raised by Abdulsammad Dasuki?
Abdulsammad Dasuki raised a matter of privilege alleging discrepancies between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions that were later gazetted and released to the public.
What discrepancies did Dasuki find in the tax laws?
Dasuki found significant discrepancies between the gazetted versions of the tax laws and the versions that were debated and approved by the House and the Senate.
What action did Dasuki request from the Speaker?
Dasuki urged the Speaker to ensure that all relevant documents, including the harmonized versions and the Votes and Proceedings, be submitted to the Committee of the Whole for a comprehensive review.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
