By Priscilla Osaje
A Northern interest group, Arewa 100 Percent Focus, has called for the review of material discrepancies between the versions of the tax reform bills passed by the National Assembly and the copies subsequently gazetted by the Executive.
The group made the call in a statement issued by its National President, Dr Abubakar Fakai, in Abuja on Saturday.
Fakai said, “Our attention has been drawn to alarming revelations by Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki, representing the Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“On Dec. 17, 2025, Hon. Dasuki raised a point of order during a plenary session, highlighting material discrepancies between the versions of the tax reform bills passed by the National Assembly and the copies subsequently gazetted by the Executive.
“Specifically, after meticulously reviewing the gazetted documents alongside the transmitted bills over the course of three days, Hon. Dasuki identified unauthorised alterations that deviate from the legislative intent approved by both chambers of the National Assembly.
“These changes, if confirmed, represent a grave constitutional breach, as they undermine the separation of powers and the sanctity of laws enacted through due legislative process.
“However, the Federal Government, through the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, has dismissed these claims, asserting that only one official version of the laws exists and that no alterations were made post-assent by President Tinubu.
Fakai described Arewa 100 Percent Focus as an organisation rooted in the principles of good governance and the protection of northern Nigeria’s interests where the tax reforms have already sparked significant regional concerns over equity and resource distribution.
According to him, the Arewa 100 Percent Focus can no longer extend any measure of trust to this tax reform process.
“The alleged tampering with the gazetted versions demonstrates a troubling pattern of insincerity on the part of the Executive, raising questions about the true motives behind these changes and their potential to disproportionately burden ordinary Nigerians, particularly in the Arewa region.
“Such actions not only violate constitutional norms but also betray the social contract between the government and the governed, fostering an environment of distrust that could undermine national unity and economic stability,” he said. (NAN)