The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday protested the entry of the Chair of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, and consultants to the chamber.
This occurred after the Upper Chamber suspended its rules to allow Adedeji and the consultants to explain the details of the Tax Reform Bill.
However, before they were admitted, a brief uproar ensued as some lawmakers objected to the FIRS Chair’s entry into the chamber.
Senators Ningi and Ndume raised objections to the Senate’s decision to suspend the business of the day in order to entertain this separate matter, despite its validity.
According to the visibly frustrated Senator Ningi, “The order says our business will be based on what is on the order paper, and this is not on the order paper. This is not a matter that you can just introduce. Mr President, you can have your way, but I will have my say. You can use the gavel, but I have my voice.”
He continued, “We have urgent matters to address. Normally, this could be referred to another legislative day. I beg you in the name of God—we swear by the Bible and the Koran to protect the interests of the people. Are you saying that what a senator is saying here is just rhetoric?”
He was subsequently ruled out of order.
The senators briefly considered staging a walkout before deciding to remain.
A few minutes later, Senator Ndume, quoting Order 52, demanded an apology from the Deputy Senate President (DSP) for using offensive language against him, but was again ruled out of order.
