Tax Bill : Senate clashes as FIRS Chairman, Tax Reform Boss address Red Chambers

Tensions erupted in the Senate on Wednesday as lawmakers clashed over a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to suspend the rules and allow Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zaccheus Adedeji and Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, to address the chamber.

Bamidele argued that the motion was crucial to provide clarity on the controversial Tax Reform Bill, which has generated significant debate across the country. However, Senators Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) strongly opposed the move, citing concerns over the suspension of Senate Rule Order 12, which governs who may address the chamber during plenary.

Ningi asserted that the two officials should be invited to appear before the Committee on Appropriations, rather than addressing the full Senate. “The Senate floor is not the proper place for this discussion. They should be invited to the Appropriations Committee, not while the Senate is in plenary,” he said.

Ndume also raised objections, pointing out that the appearance of Adedeji and Oyedele was not included on the day’s order paper, arguing that it violated Senate protocol. He accused Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of manipulating proceedings to favor the motion. “The order paper sets our agenda, and it cannot be overridden,” Ndume said. “You may wield the gavel, but we are here to represent the people.”

In response, Bamidele clarified that his motion only sought to temporarily suspend, not revoke, Order 12, referencing Order 1b, which permits rule suspension based on national interest. “This is a matter of urgent national importance. Nigerians deserve to hear directly from these officials,” he stated.

After a heated debate, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin ruled in favor of the motion, stressing the importance of transparency and public engagement regarding the Tax Reform Bill. “This issue affects all Nigerians, and we must ensure the process is inclusive and open,” Barau said, allowing Adedeji and Oyedele to address the chamber.

Despite Barau’s ruling, Ndume demanded an apology for being referred to as using “rhetorics” during the earlier exchange, but this request was dismissed. While Ndume, Ningi, and other lawmakers initially considered a walkout in protest, they later returned to their seats following interventions from their colleagues.