A heated debate erupted in the Senate on Wednesday as the controversial Tax Reform Bill, proposed by President Bola Tinubu, was introduced for discussion without being listed on the Order Paper.
The commotion began when Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi invoked Order 12(1) to suspend the Senate Rules, allowing the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to provide clarification on the bill. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, supported Opeyemi’s submission.
However, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume strongly objected to the move, citing relevant provisions in the Senate Rules that prohibit visitors from speaking in the chamber if their subject matter is not listed on the Order Paper. Ndume argued that the matter was too important to be manipulated and that the Senate should follow established procedures.
Ndume emphasized, “This is a very important matter. We should not try to use our position to bypass the clear procedures outlined in the Order Paper. I have no problem with the FIRS chairman coming to explain, but we must follow the rules.”
In response, Barau stated that the Senate’s actions are within its rules and that the chamber has no time for rhetoric. The exchange led to a rowdy session, with Ndume eventually being ruled out of order. The FIRS chairman and other tax experts were then allowed to enter the chamber to discuss the proposed Tax Reform Bill.
The proposed legislation includes provisions such as an increase in value-added tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 10% by 2025, a 27.5% company tax rate, and a 5% excise tax on lottery and gaming income.
