Wednesday’s Senate session was marred by tension and a heated exchange after the Tax Reform Bill, unexpectedly brought up for debate, caused a disruption.
Despite not being listed in the day’s Order Paper, the bill triggered a fiery debate when Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) invoked Order 12(1) of the Senate Standing Rules, proposing that experts, including the Director-General of the Debt Management Office, Tanimu Yakubu, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, be invited to address the Chamber on the issue.
After passing two bills for second reading, Bamidele’s motion to bring the tax experts into the session was seconded by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), who directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to admit the visitors.
However, the move faced sharp opposition from Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), who argued that the Senate’s rules prohibited visitors from addressing matters not listed on the Order Paper.
Ndume stressed that the Tax Reform Bill, a significant issue, required proper legislative procedure, demanding a supplementary Order Paper for its consideration.
“This is a critical issue that affects all Nigerians. We cannot rush it. We must follow due process,” Ndume insisted. He added that the Senate’s actions should reflect the interests of the Nigerian people, warning that the matter should not be treated casually.
Deputy Senate President Barau, however, dismissed Ndume’s objections, saying the Chamber was focused on facts, not rhetoric, a comment that escalated the situation.
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Ndume, visibly upset, retorted, “Is it because you are sitting there that you’re dismissing me? I will speak for Nigerians!”
Ultimately, Ndume was ruled out of order, and the visitors were allowed to present their views on the Tax Reform Bill, a key initiative introduced by President Bola Tinubu to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system.
While the bill is seen as vital for the country’s economic future, it has met with resistance, especially from state governors and the National Economic Council, due to concerns over its potential impact.
The incident highlighted the contentious nature of the Tax Reform Bill and the divisions within the Senate on how to proceed with its consideration.
