Tax Laws: Maga Dog, Can You Tell Your Father The Same Thing? – Ndume Blasts Agbese

The lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has berated the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, over his submission on the version of the tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu.

Naija News reports that Ndume, during a television interview, has stated that the version of the tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu differed from the version passed by the National Assembly.

Reacting to Ndume’s claim, Agbese dismissed allegations of legislative cover-up, insisting that it was sheer mischief to suggest that the tax laws were falsified.

However, addressing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, Ndume hit back by labelling Agbese “maga dog” and disrespectful, saying he is old enough to be Agbese’s father.

He stated that Agbese’s remarks were disrespectful and called on the House leadership to rein in the deputy spokesman.

He said, “I call on the leadership of the House to rein in this maga dog. The man who claims to speak for the House should not be a maga dog. Agbese is too junior to take issues with me on a matter that does not affect him directly. He is the deputy spokesman of the House, not the spokesman.”

The senator explained that the controversy is still under review by a committee led by Muktar Betara.

“Only the Betara-led panel has the locus standi to declare, after investigation, that there is no difference between the version passed by parliament and that which was subsequently gazetted,” Ndume said.

He added that Agbese’s comments reflect inexperience and an attempt to curry favour with House leadership,

“Agbese is forgiven on the grounds of inexperience. He is a first-timer. I was in the House in 2003 when he was probably in secondary school. For him to disrespectfully come out to say that my statement is mischievous is very unfortunate. If he has the guts to say that I am mischievous, it means he can tell his father the same thing. At 66, if I’m not old enough to be his father, I am close to that. My first daughter is 42 years old,” he stated.

Ndume stressed that his criticisms were procedural, not personal:

“I did not insult anybody. I cross-checked the votes and proceedings, clause by clause, before I said that there were some flaws. If the harmonised version says ‘this shall be,’ and the gazetted copy says ‘this will be,’ these are two different things, subject to interpretation,” he added.

The senator accused Agbese of acting on personal motives, seeking approval from House leadership.

“I understand the dirty jobs he is doing. He is hoping to find himself in the good books of the leadership of the House, but he has only succeeded in embarrassing himself and the House of Representatives. He is not speaking for the House because the House has yet to take a position on this matter. I insist that parliament should do a comparison and examine the sections of both versions of the Tax Acts section by section. This way, Nigerians will be comfortable,” Ndume said.