Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has stated that the tax reform bill proposed by President Bola Tinubu will not be withdrawn.

During a plenary session on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Akpabio emphasised that the tax reform bills are still in progress and will not be withdrawn.

His comments were made in response to a point of order raised by Senate leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, who expressed concern about the misreporting of the proceedings, particularly regarding the controversial Tax Reform Bills.

Akpabio, dissatisfied with the media reports circulating, said, “I watched Arise television news and what was reported was that this hallowed chamber had suspended further consideration of the tax reform bills before the Senate.

“The reporter even invited the governor of Nasarawa State and pointedly told the governor that now that the Senate had withdrawn, he used the word withdrawn.”

Opeyemi believes that the report indicated confusion among Senators and suggested that the only option was to suspend the Bills.

Quoting a conversation between the reporter and the Governor of Nasarawa State, Opeyemi said, “Arise News described them as ponydrums, suggesting that they were confusing. They were problematic. What would you say, Mr Governor? Are you happy that these bills have been withdrawn? The governor said, I am not just happy.”

“They understand the legislative process that we have to follow. They understand our role in the Constitution. Any attempt from any quarter to intimidate the Parliament will be undemocratic, and we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.

“But we will encourage consensus. We will encourage discussions and engagement at all levels. But we will not; we cannot be bullied into adopting a certain procedure.

“As far as we are concerned, the tax reform bills are alive in this hallowed chamber; they are receiving consideration at various levels and we are open to discussions, negotiations, and interface.

“Let it not be said anywhere that we suspended further consideration of these bills and it will be laughable for anybody to also think, say, or report that the bills were withdrawn.

“Like I said, there are executive bills that can only be withdrawn by the executive and there’s no reason to do so because these bills we believe are in overriding public interest.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that across geopolitical interests, political parties, across religious interests, everybody that has concern, civil society, everybody that has concern, is given a chance to contribute to the passage of these laws.”