The National Assembly has moved to quell public concerns over alleged discrepancies between its official Votes and Proceedings and the gazetted versions of recently passed Tax Acts. In a decisive transparency push, the Assembly released copies of the transmitted Tax Bills, including pages bearing the President’s signature and certificate of authenticity.
In a statement signed by Mr. Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information for the Clerk of the National Assembly, the release allowed members of the public to independently examine the documents and verify their contents.
Despite heightened public interest, the Assembly revealed that only a few individuals have formally applied for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised Bills, all of which have been fully processed. Interested parties are advised to apply to the Clerk of the National Assembly, specifying the Bills required and paying the prescribed fees.
The Clerk is also working closely with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure that the duly certified and assented Acts are published in official Gazettes, expected on or before January 1, 2026. While the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the Printing Press handles publication upon official request.
To prevent similar issues in the future, the Assembly announced a review of its procedures for Bill transmission and gazetting. Going forward, all Bills for presidential assent will be routed through Presidential Liaison Officers, and the Printing Press will only act on requests initiated by the Clerk or an authorised representative.
The National Assembly expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their vigilance and engagement, noting that public interest strengthens transparency, accountability, and professionalism in the legislative process.
