Minority Caucus and House at Odds Over Probe into Tax Law

A dispute has surfaced between the House of Representatives and its Minority Caucus over an ad hoc committee investigating alleged changes to Nigeria’s tax laws.

Afam Ogene, chairman of the Minority Caucus ad hoc committee, warned on Sunday that dismissing the committee’s interim report would encourage impunity and undermine the authority of the National Assembly. His comments followed remarks by House deputy spokesperson Philip Agbese, who reportedly described the report as “overtaken by events” after Certified True Copies of the affected tax laws were released.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Ogene said: “While I might ordinarily have ignored the remarks as a personal opinion, Agbese’s position as a principal officer of the House carries the responsibility of safeguarding the integrity of the legislature and democratic processes.” He added, “I am therefore perplexed as to why he has assumed the role of spokesperson for the executive in this matter.”

Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, stressed that the minority caucus committee’s report did not indict the National Assembly or question its authority. Instead, it highlighted “the concerning attempt by perpetrators of the illegal alterations to undermine the legislature’s functional integrity and independence.”

He questioned claims that the issue had been resolved, noting that a separate bipartisan committee, chaired by Muktar Betara, is still reviewing the tax acts. “If, as Agbese claims, the alleged alterations have been overtaken by events following the release of Certified True Copies, why is the Betara committee still sitting and has not been dissolved by the House?” Ogene asked.

The lawmaker cautioned that overlooking such procedural irregularities could weaken democratic institutions. “Speaking in the manner that Agbese has spoken will only enable unacceptable behaviour that ought to attract the collective upbraid of all lawmakers, irrespective of partisan divide. Democratic institutions are strengthened when accountability is upheld, not when official malfeasance is overlooked,” he said.

Ogene expressed confidence in Speaker Abbas Tajudeen’s leadership, adding: “I trust that the Speaker will continue to defend the independence of the legislature and ensure that public interest prevails over political expediency.”

Responding to the Minority Caucus, House spokesman Akin Rotimi described the committee’s actions as “procedurally flawed and lacking institutional authority.”

“The House recognises the legitimate role of the minority caucus within parliamentary democracy and affirms its right to express dissenting opinions, engage in policy advocacy, and raise public concerns,” Rotimi said. “However, it is necessary to distinguish clearly between political activities and the formal parliamentary processes of the House.”

He stressed that, according to the House Standing Orders, only the House acting in plenary or the Speaker can formally constitute ad hoc committees. “No political caucus, whether majority or minority, possesses the procedural authority to establish a committee with parliamentary status,” Rotimi added.

Rotimi explained that caucuses serve as platforms for consultation and coordination, without investigative authority, oversight powers, or the ability to summon individuals or request official documents. “Any action taken by a caucus in this regard is non-binding, informal, and without legal or institutional consequence,” he said.

He also highlighted that the Betara-led bipartisan committee, appointed in December 2025 to examine multiple purported copies of the tax legislation, remains active and will submit its report to the House upon conclusion.

The spokesman noted that the National Assembly has published the official Gazette and issued Certified True Copies of the enacted tax laws, formally disowning any unofficial documents. He warned that the caucus-led committee “only serves to compound public misunderstanding on an issue that has been institutionally resolved and overtaken by events.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, only committees constituted by the House in plenary or by the Speaker have parliamentary authority,” Rotimi said. “Members of the public should regard any committee or report not authorised by the House as a political initiative rather than an official action of the Green Chamber.”

The disagreement underscores rising tensions over legislative oversight and highlights the need to maintain procedural integrity while addressing allegations of malpractice in Nigeria’s tax legislation process. Analysts note that the dispute reflects the delicate balance between political advocacy by minority lawmakers and formal parliamentary authority.