Senate Session Sees Heated Debate Between Senator Ndume, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Over Tax Reform Bill (Video)

A tense exchange unfolded during today’s Senate session as Senator Ali Ndume and Deputy Senate President (DSP) Barau Jibrin clashed over the invitation of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, to address the Chamber on the Tax Reform Bills.

The disagreement began when Ndume raised concerns about the invitation, citing Senate Rules that prohibit visitors from speaking in the Chamber on matters not included in the day’s Order Paper. He argued that the Tax Reform Bill was a critical issue that demanded strict adherence to legislative protocols, suggesting that bypassing established processes could undermine the integrity of the deliberations.

“This bill is far too important to be handled outside the framework of our legislative guidelines,” Ndume stated, urging the Senate to reconsider the decision to allow external input in the Chamber.

In response, Barau Jibrin defended the move to involve experts in the discussion, emphasizing the importance of informed perspectives on a bill as significant as the Tax Reform Bill. As tensions rose, Jibrin ruled Ndume out of order, paving the way for Adedeji and other invited experts to present their insights on the proposed reforms.

The incident highlights the differing views within the Senate on balancing procedural rigor with the need for expert contributions in shaping critical legislation.