The Nigerian Senate has refuted claims that it suspended Tax Reform Bills during its Wednesday plenary, clarifying that the bills remain active and are progressing as planned.
Akpabio said the Tax Reform bills have not been withdrawn by the Senate because it’s an executive bill.
He spoke against the backdrop of a point of order raised by the Senate leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi that the proceedings of the Chamber were misreported particularly on the controversial Tax Reform Bills.
Expressing his discontent over reports in the media, he said: “I watched Arise television news and what was reported was that this hallowed chamber had suspended further consideration of the tax reform bills before the Senate.
“The reporter even invited the governor of Nasarawa State and pointedly told the governor that now that the Senate had withdrawn, he used the word withdrawn.”
Opeyemi said the report suggested that Senators were confused and the only option was the suspension of the Bills. Quoting the conversation between the reporter and the Governor of Nasarawa State, he said: “Arise news described them as pony drums suggesting that they were confusing. They were problematic. What would you say Mr governor? Are you happy that these bills have been withdrawn, the governor said I am not just happy.”
Opeyemi said, Senators do not move from one television station to another trying to correct misinformation but could only deliberate on issues on the floor of the Senate, urging the Senate to be clear on the Tax Reform Bill now that the public has been misinformed.
“They understand the legislative process that we have to follow. They understand our role in the Constitution. Any attempt from any quarter, to intimidate the Parliament, will be undemocratic, and will not allow ourselves to be distracted.
“But we will encourage consensus. We will encourage discussions and engagement at all levels. But we will not, we cannot be bullied into adopting a certain procedure.
“As far as we are concerned, the tax reform bills are alive in this hallowed chamber, they are receiving consideration at various levels and we are open to discussions to negotiations to interface.
“Let it not be said anywhere that we suspended further consideration of these bills and also it will be laughable for anybody to also think or say or report that the bills were withdrawn.
“Like I said there are executive bills that can only be withdrawn by the executive and there’s no reason to do so because these bills we believe are in overriding public interest.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that across geopolitical interests I mean political parties, across religious interests, everybody that has concern, civil society everybody that has concern is given a chance to contribute to the passage of these laws.”
Reacting, the Senate President thanked the Committee Chairman, Senator Abba Moro for having commenced sitting as soon as the Committee was announced yesterday.
“And I want to almost thank the senior senator, Abba Moro, the chairman of the committee, because as soon as that announcement was made yesterday, immediately started consultation.
“In fact, he has a meeting today that he has set up to enable him to abstract the process so that the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and members of the committee can commence public hearings either next week or as soon as practicable.
“Therefore, your point of order clearly demonstrates that this is a very important issue.
“And the item to be explained is that the bills are live, have not been suspended, the actions have not been suspended, the bills have not been withdrawn and the bills have passed second reading in the Senate and further legislative actions are taking place. All those points are hereby sustained.”
