TAX REFORM BILLS SPARK DRAMA IN SENATE AS TINUBU’S TEAM MAKES ITS CASE
Read Time:2 Minute, 41 Second
On Wednesday, the Senate tried to let members of President Bola Tinubu’s economic team into the National Assembly in Abuja, which caused a little controversy.
To let visitors to enter the chamber, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) has sought to suspend Order 12.
Bamidele said, “Tax experts and consultants as well as the Director-General of the Budget Office and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Tax, Zacchaeus Adedeji, were to attend the plenary to explain the Tax Reform Bills in detail to lawmakers.”
But right after the submission, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP), the representative for Bauchi Central, got up and read from the Order a list of the names of individuals who were permitted to attend the Senate plenary in accordance with Senate regulations.
According to Ningi, such a discussion was better suited for a committee setting and ought to be delegated to the finance committee and possibly appropriations to facilitate communication with the team.
Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), the deputy president of the Senate, responded by explaining that the Senate had suspended its norm to promote transparency and enable Nigerians to watch the live proceedings and hear the discussion on the Tax Reform Bills.
He then requested that the Senate leader address the order that he was subject to.
Bamidele, in response, said, “Mr President, I listened to the Point of Order raised by the most distinguished, highly respected, well-revered former leader of the House and of the Senate, distinguished Senator Abdul Ningi.
“Mr. President, let me clarify. My motion was for suspension, not invocation of Order 12. Order 12 talks about those who are privileged to speak in this hallowed chamber, as well as the exceptions that can be granted.
“But when a motion is moved for suspension, it means that the rule does not apply again. In addition, sir, for our working relationship, let me also amend my motion by saying that in addition to my motion for the suspension of Order 12 on floor privileges, I’m also coming under Order 1B, which says in all cases where there’s no specific provision or rule, the Senate shall regulate its procedure.
“So, Mr President, let it be said that my motion is based on both the invocation of Order 1B of our rules, as well as the suspension of Order 12 of our rules. Nigerians need to know, and we also want to know. Let’s hear these people.”
Following his explanation, the deputy president hit the gavel in favor of the ayes and put the question to a voice vote.
Ndume got up shortly after and stated that the Order Paper should have been printed or stepped aside for another legislative day because it was not a Supplementary Order Paper and that such a significant issue should have been noted on it.
After providing an explanation, Barau declared Ndume out of order and advised them to confront the truth rather than use rhetoric.
Ndume rose up and raised another Point of Order shortly after the economic team members were admitted to the session, claiming that the Deputy Senate President’s description of his remark as “rhetoric” was offensive.
He said, “I, therefore, demand an apology from you.”
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0