Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The Nigerian Senate chamber descended into a heated exchange on Wednesday over the contentious Tax Reform Bill, causing a rowdy session that disrupted proceedings.
The bill, which was not listed on the day’s Order Paper, sparked anger and a shouting match among senators after it was unexpectedly introduced for debate.
Presiding over the plenary, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) faced a challenging moment when Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) invoked Order 12(1) of the Senate Standing Rules.
Bamidele proposed inviting experts, including the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Tanimu Yakubu, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, to provide insights on the bill.
Following the consideration and passage of two other bills for a second reading, Bamidele moved the motion, which was seconded by Barau.
The Deputy Senate President then instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to admit the invited experts into the Chamber.
However, the motion drew fierce opposition from Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), who accused the Senate leadership of violating legislative rules.
Citing the Senate Standing Orders, Ndume argued that the Tax Reform Bill should not be debated without being properly included in the Order Paper.
“This is a very important matter. We must follow known procedures. If this issue is to be addressed today, there must be a supplementary Order Paper to reflect it. Nigerians are watching, and this issue cannot be rushed,” Ndume stated.
According to him, “Mr. President, you may have your way, but I will have my say. Tax reform is a sensitive issue that deeply affects our people. We must fulfill our oath to represent the interests of Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, deputy Senate President Barau defended the decision to admit the experts into the Chamber, dismissing Senator Ndume’s objections.
Barau said, “The Chamber has no time for rhetoric. We are here for facts.”
The remark escalated tensions, prompting a heated exchange.
However, Senator Ndume accused Barau of undermining his concerns due to his position.
“Is it because you are sitting there that you dismiss a Senator’s contributions as rhetoric? You can rule me out of order, but I will speak for Nigerians,” Ndume said.
Meanwhile, Ndume was ruled out of order, and the visitors were allowed to address the Chamber on the proposed Tax Reform Bill.
The bill, introduced by President Bola Tinubu, aims to overhaul Nigeria’s tax framework. While it is presented as critical for national economic stability, it has drawn resistance from various stakeholders, including state governors and the National Economic Council, over its potential implications.
The session highlighted the contentious nature of the bill and exposed divisions within the Senate on how to proceed with its deliberation.
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