A dramatic scene unfolded in the Senate on Wednesday as a contentious Tax Reform Bill suddenly took center stage, sparking a heated debate among lawmakers.

The bill, introduced by President Bola Tinubu, has been a topic of intense discussion, with many Nigerians expressing concerns about its potential impact.

The controversy erupted when Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, introduced a point of order, citing Order 12(1) of the Senate Standing Order, which allows the Senate to invite experts to provide insight into the bill.

However, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South, vehemently opposed the move, arguing that the bill’s subject matter was not listed on the Order Paper for legislative debate.

According to the Senate leader, the bill aims to allow the Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Tanimu Yakubu, and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, to address the Chamber.
Senator Jibrin Barau corroborated the Senate Leader’s submission, and the visitors were approved to enter the Chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms.

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However, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South, expressed anger and drew the Chamber’s attention to the relevant provision in Senate Rules. He argued that visitors are forbidden from speaking to the Chamber if their subject matter is not captured on the Order Paper for legislative debate.
Ndume emphasized that the matter was too important to be manipulated, and the Senate should not play around with the Tax Reform Bill, as Nigerians have already spoken.
“This is a very important matter,” Ndume said. “We should not use the position of the Senate because the Order Paper is clear. I have no problem with them coming to explain, but we must follow known procedures.”
Ndume continued, “If this matter needs to be taken today, then there must be a supplementary Order Paper that reflects this. It’s not something you can just bring up after we’ve started the day’s business.”
Ndume appealed to the President, saying, “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, and our people have been dominated by this matter.”
Senator Barau reacted, saying, “The Chamber has no time for rhetorics.” He emphasized that they were there for facts, not arguments.
Ndume responded, “Is it because you’re sitting there that you’re saying a Senator is speaking in rhetorics? You can rule me out of order.”
Ndume was eventually ruled out of order, and the visitors were allowed to enter the Chamber to speak on the proposed Tax Reform Bill.