Drama in Senate Over Tax Reform Bills

The Nigerian Senate witnessed a dramatic session on Wednesday during deliberations on President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills. The session turned contentious over a proposal to suspend Senate rules to allow members of the President’s economic team to address the chamber.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved for the suspension of Order 12 to enable the Director-General of the Budget Office and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacchaeus Adedeji, to explain details of the tax reform bills directly to the Senate. However, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) argued that such discussions should be referred to the Senate Committee on Finance or Appropriations for proper engagement.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) defended the motion, emphasizing that the suspension of the rule would allow Nigerians to follow the debate on the four tax reform bills transmitted by President Tinubu. Barau urged Senator Bamidele to clarify his motion.

In response, Bamidele amended his motion to include the invocation of Order 1B alongside the suspension of Order 12. He explained that Order 1B allows the Senate to regulate its procedures in situations where specific rules are absent. Bamidele reiterated that his intent was to ensure transparency, enabling Nigerians to witness the proceedings.

After a voice vote, the motion was carried in favor of the ‘ayes,’ permitting the economic team to enter the chamber. However, the session took another dramatic turn when Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) objected, insisting the matter should have been included in the day’s Order Paper. Barau ruled Ndume out of order, urging senators to avoid unnecessary rhetoric.

Following the entry of the economic team, Ndume demanded an apology from Barau for describing his comments as “rhetoric.” Barau declined, clarifying that the term was not an insult and was used in a general context. Ndume’s objection was overruled, leaving the session tense but moving forward with the tax reform discussions.