Chaos in Senate Over Tax Bills as Lawmakers Protest Entry of President’s Team into Red Chamber
From Abuja, Kenneth Udeh
Chaos erupted in the Senate on Wednesday as some lawmakers protested a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to suspend the Senate’s rules and proceedings to allow the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zaccheus Adedeji; the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele; and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, into the Red Chamber.
According to Bamidele, the move was intended to enable the presidential team to provide further explanations on the controversies surrounding the Tax Reform Bill, which has generated significant reactions across the country.
Tensions escalated when Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) opposed Bamidele’s motion, which sought the suspension of Order 12 of the Senate Rule Book.
The visibly upset lawmakers argued that it was inappropriate to admit the executive team into the Senate chamber during a plenary session. They maintained that such explanations could be made during a committee meeting organized by the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Ningi protested, saying:
“I don’t see anywhere in our rules where the Senate allows external persons to make such interactions during a plenary session. The Committee on Appropriations can invite them for such discussions, but not when the Senate is in session.”
Supporting Ningi’s position, Ndume noted that the admission of the executive team was not listed on the day’s order paper, which he argued violated Senate traditions.
Ndume also accused the presiding officer, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, of abusing his powers to distort plenary proceedings and force the Senate to admit members of the executive into the chamber.
He roared:
*“The order says our business must be based on what is on the order paper, and this is not on the order paper.
“Mr. President, you can have your way, but I’ll have my say. You can use the gavel, but I have my voice.
“There are urgent matters we need to address, and normally, this can be referred to another legislative day. I beg you in the name of God—we swore by the Bible and the Quran to protect the interests of the people.
“Are you saying what a senator is saying here is rhetoric?”*
Ndume questioned Barau’s response, which dismissed his arguments as mere “rhetoric.”
In defense, the Senate Leader argued:
*“The motion is not for the revocation of Order 12 but for its suspension. Order 12 outlines who is privileged to speak, except under certain exceptions.
“My motion is based on invoking Order 1(b) and suspending Order 12. Nigerians need to hear from these people—it is a matter of urgent importance.”*
Barau ruled Ndume out of order, emphasizing that the Tax Reform Bill has generated significant public interest, and it was important to listen to the FIRS and Tax Reform Committee chairmen for clarity.
He said:
*“This Tax Reform Bill is an issue Nigerians are eager to understand. The House of Representatives has taken similar steps, but we feel it is important to address this matter live.
“We will go through it clause by clause to ensure Nigerians are informed about the bill.
“We want to make the process inclusive and transparent. Let Nigerians be part of it and make it as open as possible. The Senate Leader may rephrase the motion.”*
Following the Deputy Senate President’s ruling, Adedeji, Oyedele, and Tanimu were allowed into the chamber after the “Ayes” prevailed in a voice vote.
Attempts by Ndume to invoke Order 52 and demand an apology from Barau for describing his arguments as “rhetoric” were unsuccessful, as the Deputy Senate President again ruled him out of order.
Although Ndume, Ningi, and some other lawmakers attempted to stage a walkout, they later returned to their seats after appeals from colleagues.
