Tax Reform Bills: Drama Unfolds in Senate as Tinubu’s Economic Team Attends Plenary

A mild drama unfolded at the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday as the Senate attempted to allow members of President Bola Tinubu’s economic team into the chamber. The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved for the suspension of Order 12 to permit visitors into the chamber.
Bamidele explained that the economic team, comprising tax experts and consultants, as well as the Director-General of the Budget Office and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Tax, Zacchaeus Adedeji, were invited to explain the Tax Reform Bills in detail to lawmakers.
However, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, immediately raised a Point of Order, citing the Senate’s rules, which list the titles of those allowed into the Senate plenary. Ningi argued that such a conversation was more suitable at the committee level and should be handed over to the finance committee and appropriations committee to interface with the team.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau explained that the Senate suspended its rule to allow for openness and transparency, enabling Nigerians to watch the live proceedings and listen to the debate on the Tax Reform Bills. Barau asked Bamidele to address the order he came under.
Bamidele clarified that his motion was for suspension, not invocation of Order 12. He stated, “Mr. President, let me clarify. My motion was for suspension, not invocation of Order 12… But when a motion is moved for suspension, it means that the rule does not apply again.”
The Senate leader further amended his motion, stating that it was based on both the invocation of Order 1B and the suspension of Order 12. Bamidele emphasized, “Nigerians need to know, and we also want to know. Let’s hear these people.”
The deputy president then put the question to a voice vote, and after a favorable outcome, members of the economic team were allowed into the plenary. However, Senator Ndume raised another Point of Order, stating that the matter should have been highlighted on the Order Paper.
Barau responded, saying they should avoid rhetoric and face facts, and subsequently ruled Ndume out of order. When Ndume demanded an apology for being described as “rhetoric,” Barau laughed and explained that rhetoric was not an insult.