Just in: Anger, shouting match in senate over Tinubu’s tax reform bill

Wednesday’s plenary session at the Senate quickly devolved into a heated argument and shouting match following the unexpected debate on the controversial Tax Reform Bill, which was not included in the Order Paper.

The situation escalated when Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi invoked Order 12(1) to suspend Senate Rules, allowing the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service to provide clarification on the Tax Reform Bill.

This decision was supported by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, and it was agreed that the FIRS chairman and other tax experts should be allowed into the Senate chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms.

This move immediately incensed Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who drew the senators’ attention to relevant provisions in the Senate Rules.

Ndume argued that visitors, such as the FIRS delegation, were not allowed to speak in the chamber if their topic was not included in the Order Paper for legislative debate.

He emphasized that the matter at hand was of critical importance and should not be manipulated, stating that the Senate must adhere to established procedures.

He said: “This is a very important matter. We should not in any way try to use the position of the Senate because the Order Paper is clear. I have no problem having them to come to explain whatsoever but we must follow known procedures.

“That is if today that has to be taken, then there must be a supplementary Order Paper that will reflect this. It is not a matter that you will just come and tell us after we are doing business of the day.

“Mr President, you can have your way, but I will have my say. You can use your gavel and I will use my voice. The Tax Reform Bill is very sensitive, our people have been dominated by this matter.

“When you say, it is a matter of urgent national importance, yes, but even those matters normally refer to another legislative day if they are so inconvenient.

“Please I beg you in the name of God. This matter is very important to not only us, but Nigerians that we represent and we swear by the Bible and Holy Quran that we will represent the interest of the people. Nigerians have spoken, the Governors, the National Economic Council.”

Reacting, Barau insisted that whatever action the Senate decides to take is within its rules, adding that the “Chamber has no time for rhetoric”.

He said, “You have made your point. Now we are not here for rhetoric. We are here for facts ”

At this point the chamber became rowdy, while the Deputy Senate President tried to restore order.

Ndume was eventually deemed out of order, and the FIRS chairman and other tax experts were allowed entry into the chamber to discuss the proposed Tax Reform Bill.