The Nigerian Senate erupted in heated debates on Wednesday as lawmakers clashed over Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele’s motion to suspend rules, allowing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zaccheus Adedeji and Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee Chairman Taiwo Oyedele to address the chamber.
Bamidele’s proposal aimed to bring clarity to the controversies surrounding the Tax Reform Bill, a piece of legislation that has sparked widespread public concern. He argued that the suspension of Order 12, which outlines who may address the Senate during plenary, was necessary to ensure transparency and engagement.
“This is a matter of urgent national importance. Nigerians deserve to hear directly from these officials,” Bamidele stated.
The motion, however, faced strong opposition. Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) argued that the appropriate forum for such an interaction was the Senate Committee on Appropriations, not the plenary session.
“The Senate floor is not the place for this interaction. The Appropriations Committee can invite them, but not during plenary,” Ningi asserted.
Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) also objected, highlighting that the inclusion of Adedeji and Oyedele was absent from the day’s order paper. He criticized the decision to bypass Senate protocol, accusing Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of favoring the motion.
“The order paper dictates our business. You cannot simply override it. You can use the gavel, but I have my voice. We swore to protect the interests of the people,” Ndume emphasized.
Responding to the criticisms, Bamidele clarified that the motion sought only a temporary suspension of the rule, invoking Order 1b, which permits such actions based on privileges.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin ultimately ruled in favor of the motion, emphasizing the importance of transparency in addressing a matter of national concern.
“This issue affects Nigerians, and we must make the process as inclusive and open as possible,” Barau stated.
The Senate subsequently approved the motion, permitting Adedeji and Oyedele to address the chamber.