Anger, Controversy Rock Senate Over Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill

The Nigerian Senate witnessed intense drama and a shouting match on Wednesday as the highly controversial Tax Reform Bill was suddenly introduced for debate, despite not being listed on the Order Paper for that day’s session.

The chaos began when Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, invoked Order 12(1) to suspend Senate rules, allowing the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to present clarifications on the contentious bill.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who was presiding over the session, supported the motion, which led to the immediate invitation of the FIRS chairman and other tax experts into the chamber.

The decision to bypass the rules was met with fierce opposition from Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who vocally opposed the move, citing the Senate’s standing rules.

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Ndume argued that visitors, particularly those discussing matters not scheduled in the Order Paper, were not permitted to speak in the chamber.

He insisted that such a significant matter must not be handled with such disregard for procedure.

“This is a very important matter. We should not in any way try to manipulate the position of the Senate because the Order Paper is clear.

“I have no problem with them coming to explain, but we must follow the known procedures. If today this must be taken, then there must be a supplementary Order Paper reflecting this. It is not something you just bring up during the course of other business.” Ndume stated.

Ndume passionately emphasized that the matter of the Tax Reform Bill was crucial not just for the Senate but for the millions of Nigerians who would be affected. “Nigerians have spoken, the Governors, the National Economic Council. This is urgent national business,” he said.

In response, Deputy Senate President Barau firmly rejected Ndume’s objections, asserting that the Senate’s actions were fully within its rules. “You have made your point, but we are not here for rhetoric,” Barau retorted. “We are here for facts.”

As tempers flared, the chamber descended into chaos, with several senators raising their voices in protest. Despite the disorder, the Deputy Senate President ruled Ndume out of order, allowing the FIRS delegation to address the chamber on the bill.

The altercation highlighted the deep divisions within the Senate over the Tax Reform Bill, which has sparked widespread debate across the nation. While some senators have expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on Nigerians, others have pushed for swift legislative action to address the nation’s tax policies.

With the issue unresolved, the Senate was left to grapple with the growing tension, which could continue to dominate discussions in the coming days as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.