Senate Erupts in Chaos Over Unscheduled Debate on Tax Reform Bill

|By Adejumo Adekunle-

Wednesday’s plenary at the Senate descended into chaos as tempers flared and lawmakers clashed over the sudden introduction of the controversial Tax Reform Bill, which was not listed on the Order Paper.

The uproar began when Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi invoked Order 12(1) to suspend the Senate Rules, allowing the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to enter the chamber and provide clarifications on the bill. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, supported the motion, granting the Sergeant-At-Arms permission to escort the FIRS chairman and tax experts into the chamber.

The move provoked a fiery response from Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who objected vehemently, citing Senate Rules that prohibit visitors from addressing the chamber on matters not listed on the Order Paper. Ndume argued that the integrity of the legislative process was at stake, emphasizing that the Tax Reform Bill was too critical to be handled improperly.

As tensions escalated, Ndume warned against circumventing established procedures, insisting that the voices of Nigerians must guide the debate. The session ended in a heated shouting match, leaving the bill’s fate uncertain.