By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
There was chaos in the Senate on Wednesday as some senators protested against a motion raised by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele to suspend its rules and proceedings to allow the Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ), Zaccheus Adedeji and the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele into the Red Chambers to address the Senators on President Tinubu’s tax reforms.
Tension arose when Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central ) and Sen. Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South ) picked holes in Bamidele’s motion which moved for the suspension of Order 12 of the Senate rule Book.
The visibly angry lawmaker argued that it was inappropriate to admit Zaccheus and Oyedele into the Senate Chambers, saying they could be invited to make such explanations at the Senate committee level.
“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.
Ndume also accused the presiding officer Deputy Senate President, Sen. 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,” Ndume said. “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 urgent matters. Normally it can be referred to 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.
“Are you saying that what a senator is saying here is rhetoric? Ndume questioned Barau’s response which described his arguments as mere “rhetoric.”
In defence, the Senate Leader argued that the motion was not for the revocation of Order 12 but a suspension , further quoting Order 1b Bamidele noted that the rule can be suspended based on Privileges.
He said: “On the point of order raised by Ningi, Let me clarify my motion was for suspension not revocation of order 12, which talks about those who are privileged to speak except for exceptions”.
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.
He said: “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”.
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 “Rethorics” failed as the Deputy Senate President ruled him out of order.
Ndume, Ningi and some Lawmakers also attempted to stage a walkout but later returned to their seats following appeals by some of their colleagues.
