The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has announced plans to debate the State Police Bill transmitted to it by the National Assembly, while also approving the appointment of five additional Special Advisers for Governor Abdullahi Sule and setting up an ad hoc committee to investigate multiple taxation in the state.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, disclosed this during the House proceedings in Lafia while reading a letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly on the State Police Bill.
Jatau said the letter was received by the Assembly on Friday, September 18, 2026, assuring that the House would give the bill the necessary legislative attention.
“We will slate a date for us to debate on the bill soon,” the Speaker said.
In another development, the Assembly unanimously approved Governor Abdullahi Sule’s request to appoint five additional Special Advisers, bringing the total number of Special Advisers in the state to 25.
The Speaker, while reading the Governor’s letter, said the proposed appointees were people with proven integrity and experience who would add value to the administration.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara, moved a motion for the approval of the request, which was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Jonah Ali Dizaho.
The House thereafter unanimously approved the appointment of the five additional Special Advisers.
The Assembly also received a letter from Governor Sule requesting that a private member bill seeking to amend a law establishing the Nasarawa State Education Trust Fund be put on hold.
Meanwhile, the House has raised concerns over what it described as multiple taxation imposed on businesses and individuals across the state, saying the practice is causing hardship and discouraging investment.
The issue was raised as a matter of public importance by Hon. Daniel Oga Ogazi, who told the House that business operators were complaining about paying multiple taxes.
Ogazi cited the case of a proprietor of a private school who, according to him, complained of paying as many as 23 different taxes.
He said the situation was adding to the hardship faced by residents in view of the prevailing economic realities and called on the State Revenue Service and other relevant authorities to address the problem.
Responding to the matter, Speaker Jatau said multiple taxation was negatively affecting businesses and the livelihoods of residents, urging the state government to ensure the full implementation of the State Revenue Harmonization Law.
“I want to urge the state government to ensure full implementation of the State Revenue Harmonization Law to avoid multiple taxation,” Jatau said.
The Speaker subsequently constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the number of consultants collecting revenues in the state and assess the implementation of the Revenue Harmonization Law.
The committee is chaired by Hon. Hudu A. Hudu, with Hon. Daniel Ogazi, Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, Hon. Jonah Ali Dizaho, and Dr. Hajara Danyaro Ibrahim as members. The Secretary of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Aluma Joseph, is to serve as Secretary of the committee.
Jatau directed the committee to also ascertain the revenue payees in the Mararaba axis of Karu Local Government Area and its environs, particularly whether businesses and residents in border communities are paying their revenues to Nasarawa State or elsewhere.
He directed the committee to submit its report within two weeks.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Esson Mairiga, Hon. Hudu A. Hudu, Hon. Jacob Ajegena Kudu, Dr. Hajara Danyaro Ibrahim, Hon. Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, Rt. Hon. Abel Yakubu Bala, Hon. Larry Ven-Bawa and Rt. Hon. Mohammed Adamu Oyanki supported the motion and commended Ogazi for raising the issue.
The lawmakers expressed concern that multiple taxation could drive businesses out of the state, discourage investment and worsen the economic hardship faced by residents.
They called on the state and local governments to ensure full compliance with and implementation of the Revenue Harmonization Law in order to eliminate unnecessary duplication of taxes and create a more business-friendly environment in Nasarawa State.