Controversy has erupted following remarks by the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, who revealed that some individuals who have confessed to him as an ordained Catholic priest for over 36 years are now his political rivals.

The Catholic Sacrament of Confession, also known as Reconciliation or Penance, is a sacred practice in which a person confesses sins to a priest and receives absolution. The inviolable nature of this sacrament is a cornerstone of Catholic faith, and priests are strictly prohibited from disclosing confessions.

However, some Catholic leaders have accused Governor Alia of violating this sacred principle, warning that his disclosure undermines the sanctity of the sacrament. There are claims that prominent figures, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, had previously sought confession from Father Alia.

The governor’s statement has raised serious concerns within the Benue Catholic Diocese. Sources indicate that his comments may have eroded trust in the sacrament, as many faithful now fear that their confessions could be exposed or politicized.

“This is a grievous offense to the Church,” said one source. “The seal of confession is absolute. Priests are forbidden from speaking about confessions for any reason, including political commentary.”

Governor Alia’s interview, which highlighted his long history of hearing confessions from individuals who are now political opponents, has sparked alarm among both clergy and laypersons. The incident underscores the tension between the governor’s dual roles as a political leader and an ordained priest, and it has ignited debate on the boundaries of religious and political responsibilities.

Catholic faithful and church authorities have called for strict adherence to sacramental secrecy to protect the integrity of the faith and preserve the trust between confessor and priest.

By Philip Agbese

In every constitutional democracy, the legitimacy of law does not rest on sentiment or speed, but on process. Laws derive their authority not merely from political will or popular approval, but from scrupulous adherence to the procedures laid down by the Constitution and statute. It is against this background that recent public commentary surrounding the authentication, assent, and gazetting of key tax reform legislation must be understood, and properly situated within Nigeria’s constitutional order.

The National Assembly, as the custodian of legislative authority, has responded not with defensiveness or evasion, but with institutional sobriety. The leadership of both Chambers has activated the very safeguards that give law its moral and legal force: verification, certification, and transparency. This is not an act of weakness. It is the essence of legislative strength.

The press release issued by the Management of the National Assembly makes this point unambiguously. Faced with questions relating to the harmonisation, assent, and gazetting of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025, the legislature chose the path of constitutional due diligence rather than public polemics . That choice deserves commendation.

At the heart of the matter is the Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. This statute exists for a simple but profound reason: to ensure that what is passed by the legislature, assented to by the President, and published for public reliance is the same text. Authentication is not an optional bureaucratic ritual; it is the bridge between legislative intent and legal certainty. Without it, the integrity of the statute book itself would be compromised.

The steps undertaken by the National Assembly, as illustrated in the published authentication process, reflect long-established parliamentary practice. From the preparation of the certified true copy of the Bill after enactment, through compilation and certification of the schedule of Bills for assent, to gazetting and official publication, each stage serves a distinct constitutional purpose. Collectively, they form a chain of custody for the law. Break that chain, and legal chaos follows.

Crucially, the leadership has been careful to clarify that the ongoing internal review does not concede any defect in legislative authority, nor does it encroach upon the functions of the Executive or Judiciary. It is an internal, administrative exercise aimed at clarity, accuracy, and the sanctity of the legislative record . In constitutional terms, this is precisely how a mature legislature should behave: correcting its own processes where necessary, without grandstanding or blame-shifting.

There is also a moral dimension that should not be overlooked. Tax legislation affects every citizen, every business, and the fiscal stability of the state. Such laws must command confidence. When the legislature demonstrates that it is willing to pause, verify, and certify before insisting on finality, it reinforces public trust. Due process is not the enemy of reform; it is the condition that makes reform legitimate and durable.

The legal effect of this approach is equally important. Official gazetting and the issuance of certified true copies provide courts, regulators, investors, and citizens with an authoritative text upon which rights and obligations can safely be based. In an era where disputes often turn on the precise wording of statutes, the insistence on authentication is not pedantry. It is prudence.

Those urging haste over process should reflect on comparative experience. In established democracies, legislatures routinely delay commencement, correct clerical inconsistencies, and re-certify statutes to protect the integrity of the legal order. Nigeria is not being exceptional; it is being orthodox.

Ultimately, the National Assembly’s actions reaffirm a deeper constitutional principle: that law is greater than politics, and procedure is the guardian of substance. By acting within the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, Standing Orders, and established parliamentary conventions, the leadership has shown fidelity not just to power, but to responsibility.

In defending due diligence, the National Assembly is defending the rule of law itself. That is not merely legal correctness. It is a democratic virtue.

Agbese LLB[UK], LLM [UK], MBA[UK] is the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives.

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has thrown its weight behind calls for a full investigation into alleged fraudulent alterations to the recently enacted tax reform laws, warning Nigerians to disregard any versions of the statutes circulating without proper authentication by the Clerk to the National Assembly and the President’s signature.

In a press release issued on Sunday, December 28, 2025, signed by the Minority Leader, Rep. O.K. Chinda, Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C., PhD, Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, the caucus expressed deep consternation over the ongoing controversy surrounding the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

The caucus described the allegations — that the laws were unlawfully altered after passage by both chambers and assent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — as grave and deserving of urgent scrutiny.

The matter gained prominence when a member raised the issue during a recent plenary session, prompting the House to inaugurate a high-powered committee to probe the claims of fraudulent alterations, improper gazetting, and the circulation of tampered versions to the public.

“We are also aware that this issue has been raised by a member of the House of Representatives during one of our recent plenaries, following which the House inaugurated a high-powered committee to investigate the allegations,” the release stated.

“The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives will stand with the entire House to ensure that the circumstances surrounding this illegality are exposed and the culprits brought to book in the interest of justice for all Nigerians.”

The caucus emphasised that the National Assembly remains the custodian of the authentic copies of all laws passed by the legislature.

It stressed that legitimate gazetting procedures begin with the Clerk to the National Assembly transmitting the official versions to the appropriate federal agency for publication.

“We are aware of the legitimate procedures towards the gazetting of laws, and it starts with the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) transmitting the actual copies of the laws to the relevant federal agency that gazettes all government documents,” the statement continued.

“The National Assembly is always the custodian of the genuine documents of the laws of the federation that have been passed.”

The Minority Caucus urged the public and businesses to reject any purported versions of the tax laws lacking the signatures of the CNA and the President, describing such documents as fake and an assault on legislative independence.

“Any attempt to foist fake laws on Nigerians is an attack on the independence and constitutional role of the National Assembly in safeguarding our democracy,” the release warned.

“The Caucus will unconditionally protect the independence of the Legislature and our democracy.”

The caucus called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend implementation of the tax reform laws until the ongoing investigations are concluded and full clarity is established on the authentic texts.

“Consequently, we call on the government to suspend the implementation of the tax laws until investigations are concluded and there is clarity and certainty of the law to be implemented,” the statement read.

“Moreover, Nigerians and the business community are entitled to copies of the laws that they are expected to obey.”

The caucus expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s democratic credentials, appealing to him to heed the call for suspension and transparency.

“We count on Mr. President’s democratic credentials to be responsive and responsible and heed to this call,” it concluded.

The release ended with a blessing for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the signatures of the four principal officers of the Minority Caucus.