RismadarVoice Reporters
February 8, 2026
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), urging it to investigate members of the Senate and other public officers over alleged irregularities in the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the Tax Reform Laws.
In a statement issued on Sunday, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the organisation is seeking a prompt, thorough, and effective investigation into allegations that some senators removed provisions on electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill without debate, despite a majority of lawmakers having voted for their inclusion.
“According to our information, certain members of the Senate allegedly removed the provisions on electronic transmission of election results during plenary after the majority of senators had voted for their inclusion and without any debate on the proposed removal,” SERAP said.
The Organization also asked the CCB to probe alleged alterations to the Tax Reform Bills, which reportedly resulted in discrepancies between the harmonized versions passed by the National Assembly and the copies later signed into law and gazetted by the Federal Government.
SERAP noted that the National Assembly itself had raised concerns over what it described as unlawful alterations and material differences between the tax reform bills approved by lawmakers and the versions gazetted by the executive.
The issue was formally brought before the House of Representatives by a Sokoto lawmaker, Abdussamad Dasuki, under a matter of privilege. He drew attention to alleged discrepancies between the harmonised bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and the copies gazetted by the Federal Government.
According to lawmakers, the alterations contained in the gazetted versions did not receive legislative approval, raising questions about the legality and legitimacy of both the law-making process and the tax laws circulated by the Federal Ministry of Information.
However, the Senate has denied removing the electronic transmission provisions from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, stating that it merely deleted the words “real time” from the relevant clause due to judicial concerns.
Similarly, the National Assembly said it had commenced investigations into the alleged discrepancies in the tax reform laws and subsequently released a “certified” version of the Acts to resolve the contradictions. The tax laws took effect on January 1, 2026.
SERAP said its petition was submitted pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 9 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers contained in the Fifth Schedule, Part I of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as sections 5 and 13 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
The Organization alleged that the processes leading to the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the signing of the Tax Reform Laws were marred by alterations without debate, due process, or approval of the National Assembly.
“The petition raises issues of conflict of interest, abuse of office, non-disclosure of interests, lack of due process, and erosion of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in the exercise of legislative power,” SERAP stated.
It further alleged that some amendments may have been removed or introduced to serve private or political interests rather than the public interest, stressing that the Constitution prohibits public officers from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official duties.
SERAP urged the CCB to formally register the petition and to promptly, transparently, and effectively investigate the conduct of the lawmakers and executive officers involved. It also asked the Bureau to determine whether inducements or benefits were offered or received, and to refer any established violations to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The Organization warned that it would pursue legal action if the Bureau fails to act on the petition within seven days.
