Tense Exchange: Ndume, House Spokesperson in Dispute Over Tax Law Investigation

A heated verbal exchange erupted on Sunday between Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) and the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, over alleged inconsistencies in recently passed tax legislation.

Agbese accused Ndume of being mischievous in claiming the tax laws were altered, while Ndume fired back, calling Agbese “disrespectful” and “too junior,” noting he was old enough to be Agbese’s father.

The dispute began after Ndume raised concerns that the version of the tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu differed from what the National Assembly had passed. In a television interview last week, Ndume suggested that certain provisions had been changed during harmonisation and gazetting.

Responding on Sunday in Abuja, Agbese dismissed the claims as “sheer mischief,” insisting that all legislative procedures had been properly followed. He stressed that the House had already set up a committee to investigate concerns around the tax legislation and warned that unverified claims could undermine public trust.

Ndume described Agbese’s remarks as “unfortunate” and called on House leadership to rein in the deputy spokesman. Speaking to journalists, he said, “Agbese is too junior to challenge me on this matter. The issue is under review by the Betara-led committee, which alone has the authority to determine if there are any differences between the parliamentary version and the gazetted copy.”

The senator maintained that his concerns were procedural, not personal. He explained, “I carefully reviewed the votes and proceedings, clause by clause. If the harmonised version says ‘this shall be’ and the gazetted copy says ‘this will be,’ these are two different things subject to interpretation.”

Ndume also suggested that Agbese’s comments were driven by personal motives to gain favour with House leadership, adding that the deputy spokesman had only embarrassed himself and the institution.

Agbese, however, reiterated that the focus on alleged falsification was misplaced and that the committee’s work would clarify the matter. “It is sheer mischief to suggest the tax laws were falsified. Lawmaking must be based on facts and due process,” he said.

The controversy first emerged late last year when Ndume and House member Abdussamad Dasuki raised concerns about discrepancies between versions circulated during plenary sessions and those sent for presidential assent. Both called for independent verification to ensure legislative integrity. The ongoing investigation is expected to determine whether differences arose during harmonisation, transmission, or gazetting of the legislation.