Senator Moro Dismisses Claims of Akpabio Overruling Deputy on Tax Reform Bills

The Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Abba Moro, has refuted claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio overruled his deputy, Senator Jibrin Barau, regarding the controversial Tax Reform Bills.

Speaking to Channels Television on Friday, Moro clarified that there was no case of overruling, emphasizing that the Senate remains focused on its legislative responsibilities and will not succumb to external pressures.

“I don’t see it as an overruling as such. The Deputy Senate President presided over the session; on the next day, the Senate President presided over the session,” Moro stated. ”

Adjustments are permissible under normal circumstances, and that is what was done. It’s just a mere adjustment of membership and procedures to adopt in the process.”

The controversy arose after Barau, who presided over Wednesday’s plenary, announced the formation of a special committee, led by Moro, to engage with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to address contentious issues in the bills.

However, on Thursday, Akpabio reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to advancing the Tax Reform Bills, stressing that no aspect of the bills had been suspended or withdrawn, despite the formation of the committee.

Akpabio’s remarks were interpreted in some quarters as overruling his deputy, a notion Moro dismissed as a misrepresentation of Senate proceedings.

“The idea of setting up a committee to interface with the executive on the bills was initiated the previous week, and the adjustments made were procedural,” Moro added.

The Senate President also emphasized that the legislative body remains resolute in its mandate to represent the Nigerian people and address critical national issues.