- Safiu Kehinde
Drama has, on Thursday, ensued at the Senate over the invitation of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, to the Red Chamber in regards to the controversial tax reform bill.
The plenary session, presided over by Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, was disrupted by lawmakers following his announcement of the FIRS Chairman’s arrival.
As seen in a broadcast shared on X, the Senate leadership explained that the
FIRS boss and other tax experts were invited to brief the Red Chamber on the content of the bill for transparency.
“The leadership decided to invite the FIRS Chairman and experts in tax laws to brief us about the tax bill. Let consultants tell us what is there. Let the crafters of the bill, that is, FIRS, tell us about the bill.
“We want to make it as open as possible.” The Deputy Senate President said.
This sparked immediate protest from some of the lawmakers.
“I don’t see anywhere whereby the Senators should allow this people to come here and make the kind of interaction they so want.
“Committee of the Senate on Appropriation can invite for them for the interaction of this manner. But not the Senate in session.” Sen Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) said.
In the same vein, an infuriated Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) challenged the Red Chamber’s leadership over the decision.
“We should not in anyway try to use the position of the Senate because the order paper is very clear, and you have been doing this. I have no problem having them to come here and explain whatever. But you have been doing that, following no procedures.
“This is not a matter you will come and be telling us after we are doing business of the day. Mr. President, you can have your way, but I will have my say.
“Please I beg you in the name of God. This matter is very important to not only us but to Nigerians that we represent.” Ndume said.
Reacting, Barau ruled out the lawmakers agitations.
“Please we are not here for rhetorics. We are acting on fact. The Senate shall by resolution regulates its procedure. This is what you have just done. This is what you have just passed. I so therefore rule you out of order.” the Deputy Senate President said.
This would not augur well with the agitating lawmakers as they attempted to walk out of the plenary.
They would, however, be restrained by other lawmakers as the sitting resumes.
The Deputy Senate President turned down Ndume’s request for an apology for describing his agitation as rhetorics as the plenary continues.
Despite the drama, NPO reported that the tax reform bill scaled through the second reading.