Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reportedly ordered the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal, to withhold the certified true copy (CTC) of the Tax Reform Bill. This directive aims to restrict access to the document, preventing lawmakers and the public from verifying the final version against the controversial clauses debated during the legislative sessions.
Reports indicate that Akpabio’s instruction is a strategic move to suppress potential legal challenges and public outcry. Sources claim the leadership fears that transparency could expose discrepancies in the passed version. “The instruction was clear: do not release any certified copy of the bill to anyone until further notice,” a source within the assembly reportedly stated.
The alleged concealment has sparked outrage among transparency advocates and opposition lawmakers who demand immediate disclosure. Critics argue that withholding the CTC undermines democratic processes and fuels suspicions regarding the bill’s economic impact. “This is a direct assault on the right of Nigerians to know what laws govern them,” an anonymous official remarked, highlighting the growing tension