Senator representing Borno south, Ali Ndume on Wednesday kicked against the entry of chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, into the red chamber.
Adedeji had briefed the lawmakers about the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu in October.
Ndume’s protest was sequel to non exclusion of Adedeji’s briefing in the order paper of the upper legislative chamber, and that prompted majority leader, Opeyemi Bamidele to move a motion for the suspension of the senate rules.
In response, while citing the rules of the senate, Ndume said visitors were not allowed into the red chamber to speak if the item was not listed on the order paper.
The senator said there should have been a supplementary order paper to reflect that the senate would receive briefing from Adedeji and other tax experts.
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He said, “his is a very important matter. We should not in any way try to use the position of the senate because the order paper is clear.
“I have no problem having them come to explain whatsoever but we must follow known procedures.
“Mr President, you can have your way, but I will have my say. You can use your gavel and I will use my voice. The tax reform bill is very sensitive; our people have been dominated by this matter.
“When you say, it is a matter of urgent national importance, yes, but even those matters normally refer to another legislative day if they are so inconvenient.
“Please, I beg you in the name of God. This matter is very important to not only us, but Nigerians that we represent and we swore by the Bible and Holy Quran that we will represent the interest of the people.”
But Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, said the senate was operating within its rules.
He said, “You have made your point. Now we are not here for rhetorics. “
Before the presiding officer could finish his thoughts, the chamber got rowdy.
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