Tax Bill: Senate Thrown In Rowdy Session As FIRS Chairman, Tax Reform Boss Clarify Bill

Tensions flared in the Senate on Wednesday as lawmakers clashed over a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to suspend the rules and allow Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zaccheus Adedeji and the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, to address the chamber.

This online medium reports that Bamidele argued that the move was necessary to provide clarity on controversies surrounding the Tax Reform Bill, which has sparked significant reactions across the country.

However, the motion met stiff opposition from Senators Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South). They criticized the suspension of Order 12 of the Senate rulebook, which governs who is permitted to address the chamber during plenary sessions.

Ningi insisted that Adedeji and Oyedele should be invited to provide explanations during a meeting of the Committee on Appropriations rather than during a full Senate session.

“The Senate floor is not the place for this interaction. The Appropriations Committee can invite them, but not while the Senate is in plenary,” he argued.

Ndume also objected, stating that the admission of the two officials was not listed on the day’s order paper, a move he deemed a violation of Senate protocol.

He accused Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of distorting proceedings to favor the motion.

“The order paper dictates our business. You cannot simply override it,” Ndume asserted. “You can use the gavel, but I have my voice. We swore to protect the interests of the people.”

Responding, Bamidele clarified that his motion sought only a suspension, not a revocation, of Order 12, citing Order 1b, which allows for rule suspension based on privileges.

“This is a matter of urgent national importance. Nigerians deserve to hear directly from these officials,” he said.

After heated debates, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin ruled in favor of the motion, emphasizing the need for transparency and public engagement on the Tax Reform Bill.

“This issue affects Nigerians, and we must make the process as inclusive and open as possible,” Barau said, allowing Adedeji and Oyedele to address the chamber.

Despite Barau’s ruling, Ndume demanded an apology for the Deputy Senate President’s earlier description of his objections as “rhetorics,” but this was dismissed.

While Ndume, Ningi, and other lawmakers initially attempted to stage a walkout in protest, they later returned to their seats following interventions by their colleagues.