On Wednesday, the National Assembly experienced mild drama as the Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s economic team for tax discussions. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele proposed suspending Order 12 to allow key visitors, including tax experts and officials. This proposal aimed to grant access to figures like the Director-General of the Budget Office and Zacchaeus Adedeji.
Bamidele’s motion sought to give lawmakers detailed explanations of the Tax Reform Bills, central to President Tinubu’s agenda. However, Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central raised concerns about the procedure and appropriateness of allowing such visitors.
Disagreement and Debate over Senate Procedure
Senator Ningi referred to the Senate’s rules, which outline the protocol for allowing visitors into the plenary. He argued that the Tax Reform Bills should be discussed in committee meetings, especially the Finance and Appropriations committees. He believed these discussions were better suited for committee levels rather than full Senate debates. Ningi’s intervention created a momentary standoff, as the disagreement over procedure took center stage.
In response, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau explained that the suspension of the rule would allow for greater transparency, enabling Nigerians to watch the live proceedings and hear the debate on such critical economic reforms. Barau called for a vote to settle the matter, leading to the Senate’s decision to suspend the rule.
Senate Approves Motion Amidst Tensions
After a brief exchange, Bamidele clarified that his motion aimed for the suspension of Order 12, which governs who can speak in the Senate chamber. He further invoked Order 1B, which allows the Senate to regulate its procedure when no specific rule applies. This explanation cleared the air and enabled the Senate to proceed with the approval, allowing the economic team to join the plenary session.
The Deputy Senate President then called for a voice vote, which was passed in favor of the motion. Despite the earlier tensions, the motion was successfully carried, and members of the economic team were permitted into the plenary to explain the details of the tax reforms.
Rising Tensions and Call for Apology
However, shortly after the economic team entered, another confrontation erupted. Senator Ali Ndume stood to raise a point of order, expressing displeasure with Barau’s characterization of his earlier comments as “rhetoric.” Ndume demanded an apology, stating that the Deputy Senate President’s remarks were insulting.
Continued Debate on Tax Reforms
Barau laughed off the accusation, explaining that he used the term “rhetoric” as a general comment, not an insult. Despite Ndume’s insistence, Barau ruled him out of order again, and the session continued without resolution.
The events in the Senate highlight the complex dynamics surrounding President Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms. The economic team’s presence at the plenary allowed direct engagement with lawmakers, highlighting tensions over the Senate’s approach. As debates on the Tax Reform Bills continue, the Senate will likely face further discussions on
The episode reflects the challenges in navigating legislative processes, especially when high-stakes economic matters are involved. Nigerians will closely watch the tax reforms as they move through the legislative process, hoping for outcomes benefiting long-term stability.
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