Rowdy Session in Senate Over Tax Reform Bills 

 

From Victor Osula, Abuja

 

 

 

The Nigerian Senate went into a rowdy session on Wednesday, as some lawmakers protested against a motion moved by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, to suspend its rules and proceedings to allow the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zaccheus Adedeji, and the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, into the Red Chamber.

“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 to attend the plenary to explain the Tax Reform Bills in detail to lawmakers”,

Opeyemi said as he moved for suspension of Order 12 to allow the visitors into the chamber.

Tension, however, arose when Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), picked holes in Bamidele’s motion for the suspension of Order 12 of the Senate rule Book.

“I don’t see anywhere the Senators will allow these people to make the kind of interaction they so want. However, the Committee on Appropriations can invite them for interaction but not when the Senate is in session”, Ningi said.

Supporting Ningi’s position, Ndume held that the admission of the duo was not stated in the day’s order paper which is against the tradition of the Senate. He accused the presiding officer, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, of using his powers to distort the plenary proceedings and force the Senate to admit members of the executive to the hallowed chambers.

“The order says our business will be based on what is on the order paper and it is not on the order paper. It’s not a matter that you will just come and tell us, Mr President you can have your way but I’ll have my say, you can use the gavel but I have my voice. We have issues of urgent matters. Normally it can be referred to as another legislative day, I beg you in the name of God, we swear by the Bible and Koran to protect the interest of the people”, Ndume said.

Responding, Barau, who ruled Ndume out of order emphasised that based on the tensions and divergent opinions created by the Bill it is important to listen to the FIRS and Tax reform committee Chairmen to provide further clarity.

“This issue of the Tax Bill is something that Nigerians are interested to know about, the House of Representatives did almost the same thing but we feel it is important we cover this matter live and do clause by clause and Nigerians will have the privilege of knowing about the bill. We want to make the process inclusive and carry Nigerians along. Let Nigerians know about it and make it as open as possible. The Senate Leader may rephrase the motion”, he said.

Rephrasing the motion, Opeyemi clarified that it was not for the revocation of Order 12 but a suspension.

“On the point of order raised by Ningi, Let me clarify my motion was for suspension not revocation of order 12, order 12 which talks about those who are privileged to speak except for exceptions. In addition to my motion of suspension of 12 and order 1b, the Senate shall. My motion is based on the invocation of 1b and order 12. Nigerians need to know let’s hear from these people, it is a matter of urgent importance”, he said.

Adedeji and Oyelade were allowed into the Chambers after the Deputy Senate President ruled in favour of the Ayes voices that voted in favour of the motion.

Attempts by Ali Ndume, who quoted order 52 to extract an apology from Barau for describing his arguments as “Rhetorics” failed as the Deputy Senate President again, ruled him out of order. Ndume, Ningi and some lawmakers also attempted to stage a walkout but later returned to their seat.

President Bola Tinubu had on October 13, transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.

The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.