A mild drama unfolded on Wednesday at the National Assembly in Abuja as the Senate attempted to allow members of President Bola Tinubu’s economic team into the chamber.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved for the suspension of Order 12 to permit visitors into the chamber. He explained that tax experts, consultants, the Director-General of the Budget Office, and Zacchaeus Adedeji, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Tax, were present to detail the Tax Reform Bills to lawmakers.
However, immediately following this submission, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) rose to read from the Order listing the titles of those allowed into the Senate plenary per the Senate’s rules. Ningi argued that such discussions were better suited for the committee level and should instead be directed to the finance committee, or possibly appropriations, to engage with the team.
In response, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) clarified that the Senate had suspended its rules in the interest of transparency, allowing Nigerians to watch the live proceedings and listen to the debate on the Tax Reform Bills. He then asked the Senate Leader to address the order under which he made his motion.
Bamidele clarified, “Mr. President, I heard the Point of Order raised by the distinguished Senator Abdul Ningi, a highly respected former leader of the House and the Senate. My motion was for suspension, not invocation of Order 12. That order addresses who has the privilege to speak in this chamber and outlines the exceptions that can be granted.”
He continued, “When a motion is moved for suspension, it means that the rule no longer applies. In addition, for the sake of our working relationship, let me amend my motion to include that in addition to the suspension of Order 12 regarding floor privileges, I am also referencing Order 1B, which states that in cases without a specific provision or rule, the Senate shall regulate its procedures. So, Mr. President, let it be clear that my motion is based on both the suspension of Order 12 and the invocation of Order 1B of our rules. Nigerians need to know, and we want to hear from these experts.”
Following his explanation, the Deputy Senate President put the question to a voice vote, which resulted in support for the motion.
Shortly afterward, Senator Ali Ndume raised a concern, suggesting that such an important matter should have been included on the Order Paper. Since it wasn’t listed as a Supplementary Order Paper, he proposed it either be printed or deferred to another legislative day.
Barau responded by urging members to focus on facts instead of rhetoric, ruling Ndume out of order.
After the economic team was allowed into the plenary, Ndume again raised a Point of Order, stating that the Deputy Senate President’s characterisation of his comment as “rhetoric” was an insult and demanded an apology.
Barau responded with laughter, asserting that rhetoric was not an insult and that his comment was a general statement, not a direct response to Ndume. Ultimately, Barau ruled Ndume out of order once more.
