Tempers Flare in Senate Over Tax Reform Bills

The Senate witnessed a dramatic exchange of words as Senator Ali Ndume clashed with the Deputy President, Barau Jibrin over efforts to invite tax experts and government officials into the chamber without prior notice.

The controversy centered around Tax Reform Bills, with some northern lawmakers voicing objections.

The drama unfolded when Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele announced a sudden motion to suspend the day’s agenda to allow tax experts and officials, including Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to brief lawmakers on the controversial Tax Reform Bills.

However, Senator Abdul Ningi, citing Senate rules, objected. He argued that the rules only permit former Presidents, former Speakers of the House of Representatives, and ex-senators to speak in the chambers.

Ningi emphasised that such expert briefings should be done at the committee level, not in plenary, as the Senate’s standing orders do not authorise such interventions.

Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary, responded by asserting that the Tax Reform Bills under discussion were of national importance and had already been addressed in the House of Representatives. He argued that allowing experts into the chambers would help Nigerians understand the content of the bills. Barau therefore ruled Ningi out of order

In defense of the motion, Senate Leader Bamidele clarified that his request was to temporarily suspend Order 12 of the Senate Rules, which outlines who may speak in the chambers.

Senator Ndume invoked Order 38, which governs the daily business agenda. He insisted that the Senate should follow procedure and that such urgent matters should be added to the supplementary order paper.

He angrily told the presiding officer and Deputy President of the Senate that “You can have your way, but I will have my say”. “You can use the gavel, but I will use my voice.”

The tension escalated when Senator Ndume, in frustration, mobilised a small group of northern senators for a walkout, protesting the breach of Senate procedure.

After an appeal from the Minority Leader and other colleagues, Ndume and the other dissenting senators returned to the chambers.

Once back, Ndume again raised a point of order, demanding an apology from Deputy President of the Senate Barau for accusing him of speaking based on “rhetoric” rather than facts.

Barau again ruled him out of order, and the experts were allowed to brief the lawmakers on the Tax Reform Bills, despite the protests.

(Editor: Terverr Tyav)