A mild drama unfolded in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday as lawmakers debated the presence of members of President Bola Tinubu’s economic team in the chamber.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved for the suspension of Order 12 to allow visitors, including tax experts and consultants, as well as the Director-General of the Budget Office and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacchaeus Adedeji, to attend the plenary and explain the Tax Reform Bills to the Senate.
However, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) immediately raised an objection, referring to the Senate’s rules and arguing that such discussions should take place at the committee level, specifically with the Finance and possibly Appropriations committees.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), responded by clarifying that the Senate had suspended its rules to ensure transparency and allow Nigerians to watch the live debate on the Tax Reform Bills. He then asked Bamidele to address the order under which his motion was made.
In his reply, Bamidele explained that his motion was for the suspension of Order 12, not its invocation, and noted that the suspension meant the rule would no longer apply. He further invoked Order 1B, which allows the Senate to regulate its own procedures in cases where no specific rule exists. He emphasized that the motion was to allow openness and for the public to hear from the economic team.
After Bamidele’s clarification, Barau called for a voice vote, which favored the motion, allowing the economic team to enter the chamber.
Shortly after, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) raised a Point of Order, criticizing Barau’s remark about his earlier comment being “rhetoric,” which Ndume took as an insult. Ndume demanded an apology, but Barau laughed and explained that the term “rhetoric” was not aimed at him personally. He maintained that it was a general comment, and once again ruled Ndume out of order.
The session proceeded with the economic team attending the plenary, despite the ongoing tensions.
Peoplesmind
