Don’t Miss: Chaos Erupts in Senate Over Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill

The Senate’s Wednesday plenary descended into chaos as tempers flared over the sudden introduction of the controversial Tax Reform Bill, which was not included in the day’s Order Paper.

The issue began when Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele invoked Senate Order 12(1) to suspend the rules and allow the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to address the chamber on the Tax Reform Bill. This move was supported by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, and the chamber approved the entry of the FIRS chairman and other tax experts, escorted by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

However, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume strongly opposed the decision, citing Senate rules that prohibit visitors from speaking on issues not listed in the Order Paper. Ndume argued that the Tax Reform Bill was too significant to bypass established procedures and demanded the inclusion of a supplementary Order Paper to properly address the matter.

“This issue is critical to Nigerians, and we must respect proper legislative processes,” Ndume asserted. “While you can use your authority, I will raise my voice for what is right. We represent the people, and their interests must be upheld.”

Deputy Senate President Barau dismissed Ndume’s concerns, stating that the Senate was acting within its rules and emphasizing a focus on facts over rhetoric. The disagreement caused a heated row in the chamber, with senators exchanging sharp words. Despite Ndume’s objections, he was ruled out of order, and the FIRS chairman, along with other experts, was permitted to present their input on the Tax Reform Bill.