Anger and Shouting Match Erupt in Senate Over Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill

Wednesday’s Senate plenary turned contentious when the controversial Tax Reform Bill came up for debate, despite not being included on the Order Paper.

The disruption began when Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi invoked Order 12(1), which allowed him to suspend the Senate Rules and invite the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to clarify aspects of the Tax Reform Bill.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who was presiding over the session, supported the move, and it was agreed that the FIRS chairman and other tax experts would be permitted into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

This development provoked Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who vehemently opposed the motion. Ndume pointed out that the Senate Rules prohibit visitors, such as the FIRS delegation, from speaking on topics not listed on the Order Paper for debate.

He argued that the issue was too significant to be handled carelessly, emphasizing that the Senate should not play games with the Tax Reform Bill, especially given the strong opinions of Nigerians on the matter.

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.