By Kolawole Ojebisi
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said ministers who refuse to honour the invitations extended to them by the National Assembly are not supposed to be in the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio spoke on Wednesday at a joint session of the national assembly where Tinubu presented the 2025 budget proposal of N47.9 trillion.
The president of the senate said national assembly symbolises democracy and the refusal of some ministers to honour its invitations show that they are not democrats.
“They (ministers) should know that every invitation is constitutional and we also have constitutional powers to take further action when they refuse to appear,” he said.
“Mr President may wish to caution some of the ministers who do not give respect to this hallowed chamber shows democracy in the world.
“Those who disregard invitations from the national assembly are not democrats and therefore have no place in your government.”
Akpabio said it is disheartening that those who do not understand the tax reform bills proposed by Tinubu are the loudest critics.
The senate president asked Nigerians to engage with the proposed tax reforms “thoughtfully”.
“This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for rejuvenating small and medium enterprises and enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
“These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally competitive business environment, transforming our tax system to support sustainable development.”
The number three citizen said the 2025 budget would be considered and passed “swiftly”.
