Drama in Senate as FG officials defend Tinubu’s tax reform bills

Amid a charged atmosphere on Wednesday, officials of the Federal Government appeared before senators to shed more light on President Bola Tinubu’s controversial tax reform bills.

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy on Tax Reform Committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele; the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji, and the Director General of the Budget Office, Mr Taminu Yakubu, were part of a team that met with senators on Wednesday.

The team had already met with several other bodies, including the House of Representatives and the Governors’ forum.

As usual, the team made reassurances, saying that the tax bills would simplify tax administration in the country and reduce the burden on low-income earners, vulnerable persons, small businesses as well as provide for a fair distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) to the tiers of government.

However, there was mild drama prior to the presentation, which generated tension on the floor.

At least two senators, Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi-Central) and Sen. Ali Ndume (APC, Borno-South), tried to stop the Senate from granting audience to the team.

Ningi, raising Order 12 of the Senate Rule, said members of the team did not qualify as persons listed in the rule to appear before senators in the chamber.

“I don’t see anywhere in our rules where these people can come into the chambers.

“However, they may meet at the committees of the Senate”, Ningi said.

But, Ningi was overruled by the presiding Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano-North), after the Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, clarified that he had earlier moved for the suspension of order 12 that the Bauchi senator raised.

Besides, Bamidele referenced Order 1(b), which empowers the Senate to regulate its own procedure in all cases where a provision is not made in the rules book.

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As the Senate gave leave to Oyedele to speak, Ndume raised another point of order, saying that the presentation was in breach of Order 38 (Order of Business) as the visit of the team was not listed in the day’s Order Paper.

“Our order paper does not contain this. It is not a matter you will just want to play with.

“This thing (tax bills) is very sensitive, our people have been dominated by these tax issues…

“In the name of God, our people have spoken. You (Jibrin) are sitting there, you can go ahead to rule me out of order”, Ndume shouted at the deputy Senate President.

Jibrin, responding, and making further justifications for receiving the team, stated, “Ndume has been one of those clamouring for openness about these tax bills. And that is what we want to do now. Why are you opposing it again?”

Ndume interrupted the proceedings again to raise Order 52, arguing that he felt insulted by Jibrin when he described his comments as “mere rhetorics.”

“It shall be out of order to use offensive language. You called my views ‘rhetorics’. I think you should apologise to me”, Ndume demanded.

But, the DSP refused to oblige him, saying that there was nothing directly offensive to Ndume as an individual about his comments.

Jibrin again ruled Ndume out of order and asked Oyedele to continue speaking.

The Senate resolved to hold an executive session on Thursday to digest the presentation made by the President’s men before listing the four tax bills for debate on possible second reading.

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