UPDATED: Reps in marathon executive session over tax reform bills

Daily Trust reports that the executive session which began at about 11am was still ongoing as of 12.40pm when this report was filed.

The House usually begins its legislative day at 11am but as at noon, the executive session was still ongoing, indicating the serious nature of the matter being ironed out by the lawmakers before resuming plenary.

Our correspondent learnt that the executive session may not be unconnected with the Tax Reform Bills which have continued to generate push back from stakeholders from the North.

After executive session, rhe Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, said consultations on the tax reform bills would still continue.

He said this after the lawmakers emerged from a marathon executive session that lasted almost two hours to deliberate on the tax reform bills.

Kalu who chaired the executive session said, consultations and discussions would continue on the tax reform bills until Tuesday when some resource persons are expected to come and brief the House at a special session.

According to Kalu, members had robust discussions on the bills during the executive session.

The deputy speaker urged his colleagues to continue to consult their constituents on the bills through the weekend.

On Wednesday, the Senate leadership resisted opposition mounted by Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) and Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) against allowing officials of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government entry into the chamber to defend the tax bills.

Before the government officials were given access to the chamber for their presentation, the Senate descended into a heated session.

A former Leader of the House and chairman of Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa had urged the leadership of the House not to be in a rush in passing the Tax Reform Bills, saying, there should be more consultations on them.