News
Senate in rowdy session over Tinubu’s tax reform Bills
Wednesday’s Senate plenary was disrupted by anger and a shouting match over the controversial Tax Reform Bill, which unexpectedly came up for debate despite not being listed as an item for the day’s business.
The session, presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, APC, Kano North, turned heated after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, invoked Order 12(1) of the Senate Standing Rules. He proposed inviting experts, including the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Tanimu Yakubu, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, to address the Chamber on the Tax Reform Bill.
After the Senate had considered and passed two bills for second reading and referred them to relevant committees, Senator Bamidele raised the motion to bring the tax experts into the Chamber. The motion was seconded by Senator Barau, who directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to allow the visitors in.
However, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South, strongly opposed the move, citing Senate Rules that forbid visitors from addressing the Chamber on matters not included in the Order Paper.
Ndume argued that the Tax Reform Bill was too significant to be treated without following proper legislative procedure, stating:
“This is a very important matter. We must follow known procedures. If this issue is to be addressed today, there must be a supplementary Order Paper to reflect it. Nigerians are watching, and this issue cannot be rushed.”
He added: “Mr. President, you can have your way, but I will have my say. Tax Reform is sensitive, and our people are deeply affected by this matter. We must represent the interest of Nigerians as we swore to do.”
Deputy Senate President Barau responded, defending the decision to allow the experts into the Chamber. He dismissed Ndume’s objections, stating:
“The Chamber has no time for rhetorics. We are here for facts.”
This comment further inflamed the situation, leading to a rowdy session as Ndume accused Barau of dismissing his concerns due to his position.
“Is it because you are sitting there that you are saying a Senator is speaking rhetorics? You can rule me out of order, but I will speak for Nigerians,” Ndume retorted.
Eventually, Ndume was ruled out of order, and the visitors were permitted to address the Chamber on the proposed Tax Reform Bill.
The Tax Reform Bill, introduced by President Bola Tinubu, seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s tax framework. While it is deemed a priority for national economic stability, it has faced resistance from various stakeholders, including state governors and the National Economic Council, over its implications.
The session underscores the contentious nature of the Bill and highlights divisions within the Senate over how to handle its deliberation.
Niger State’s Executive Council has proposed a massive N1.2 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year.
This proposal was unveiled by Commissioner of Budget and Planning Mustapha Ndajiwo during a Government House Council meeting, as announced by the Governor’s Special Adviser Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo on social media X.
Ebbo explained that the commissioner told the council that the estimate is made up of N188.42 billion or 15.68 per cent recurrent and 1.01 trillion or 84.34 per cent capital expenditure respectively.
The commissioner stated that when compared with the approved budget of 2024, the estimate represents an increase of 32.94 per cent.
” The Commissioner in his analysis also stated that even though the 2024 approved budget was supplemented with the sum of N191.98 billion, the breakdown of the draft 2025 proposals revealed an increase of 1.18 per cent and 32.98 per cent in recurrent and capital expenditure respectively, ” Ebbo stated.
He noted that Governor Mohammed Umar Bago in his remarks, explained that the size of the estimate was informed by the gap in infrastructure and key development areas and the inflationary trend of the country.
After the presentation, the council deliberated on it and approved the estimates.
It then directed the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mustapha Ndajiwo to prepare for submission to the Niger State House of Assembly for approval.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jami’u Abiola, son of late Moshood Abiola, as senior special assistant to the president on linguistics and foreign matters.
Segun Imohiosen, director of information, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), in a statement, said the appointment takes effect from November 14, 2024.
“This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended”
Until his appointment, Jami’u has served as the special assistant to the president on special duties in the Office of the Vice President.
The statement said President Tinubu tasked the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has halted the free bus service system in the state.
The governor had earlier on Wednesday approved the free bus services for residents of the state through the Edo City Transport Service.
In a press statement released by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the initiative was described as part of the administration’s effort to entrench its policy direction.
The free bus service, according to the governor, was to cover the Benin metropolis and the three senatorial districts of the state (intra- and intercity routes) and was intended as a commitment to enhancing the welfare of Edo residents.
However, in a subsequent statement on Wednesday night, Itua said the earlier announcement regarding the approval of the free bus services should be disregarded.
The statement read: “The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded.
“The governor is being briefed on issues surrounding the operation of the state-owned Edo City Transport Service, operators of the free bus services.
“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public.”
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