The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday witnessed an intense confrontation during plenary as tempers flared over the sudden introduction of the Tax Reform Bill, a move that sparked a shouting match among lawmakers.
Trouble started when the Senate leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the suspension of Senate rules to allow Oyedele and his team members access into the chamber.

But a former deputy Senate leader, Abdul Ningi, was swift in raising objections.

Citing order 12 of the Senate Standing rules, Ningi said there was no provision that allows non-senators to enter the chamber while the session is on.

Deputy president of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary session, over ruled Ningi stating that the experts were invited to allow for open discussion on the matter.

As soon as Ningi took his seat, another loud voice shouting ‘point of order’ was heard.

It was the voice of a former Senate majority leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume.

He said it was an aberration to have strangers in the chamber without a provision in the order paper for that purpose.

The situation degenerated to exchange of hot words between the two senators and Jibrin to the extent that business of the Senate was halted and delayed for some time.

The use of the word rhetoric by Jibrin worsen matters as Ndume raised another point of order drawing attention to use of unparliamentary words.

He was ruled out of order by Jibrin who said the word was used in general sense.

The session, escalated after Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele invoked Order 12(1) to suspend regular Senate rules and permit tax experts, including the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), to address the chamber.
However, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume vehemently opposed the motion, arguing that the bill was not listed on the Order Paper and that proper legislative procedure was being sidestepped.

“This is a very important matter. We must follow the rules,” Ndume asserted, emphasizing that the Tax Reform Bill’s sensitive nature required strict adherence to established protocols.
He called for the inclusion of the bill on a supplementary Order Paper to ensure transparency.

Despite Ndume’s objections, Barau defended the Senate’s actions, dismissing concerns as unnecessary rhetoric.
The confrontation led to a rowdy chamber, with voices raised in protest. Ultimately, Ndume was ruled out of order, and the tax experts were allowed to speak on the bill.

The heated exchange underscored the growing tension surrounding the Tax Reform Bill, which has drawn widespread public interest and concern over its potential impact on Nigeria’s economy.

The Nigerian Senate has admitted a procedural oversight in its resolution advising President Bola Tinubu to remove Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over allegations of corruption and misconduct. Despite the correction, the Senate affirmed the validity of its recommendation.

Last Wednesday, the Senate, led by Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, mistakenly invoked Section 157(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which pertains to the removal of specific public officials, excluding the CCT chairman.
During Tuesday’s plenary, Bamidele acknowledged the error, clarifying that the correct legal provisions are Section 17(3) of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act of 2004.

Bamidele explained that these sections require a two-thirds majority approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives to advise the President on the removal of certain public officials.
He urged the Senate to correct the resolution for it to have legal effect.

“The Senate erroneously relied on Section 157(1), which is inapplicable in this case. To ensure legal compliance, we must invoke the proper provisions,” Bamidele stated.

The Senate unanimously approved the correction, and the resolution, now aligned with legal requirements, continues to urge President Tinubu to remove Umar. Allegations against Umar include corruption and misconduct, which the Senate asserts must be addressed to uphold public trust.

This correction underscores the Senate’s commitment to due process and the rule of law while maintaining its stance on accountability in public office.

***Bill Passes Second Reading, Aims to Boost Local Agriculture, Save Foreign Exchange

A bill seeking to mandate the inclusion of high-quality cassava flour in edible wheat flour production has passed its second reading at the Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara South), the bill proposes that all producers of edible flour in Nigeria or those importing wheat flour include at least 20% cassava flour in their products.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, directing it to report back within four weeks.
Leading the debate, Senator Mustapha highlighted the need to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imported wheat, which costs the nation over $3 billion annually.
He emphasized that the over-reliance on wheat imports negatively impacts the economy by creating trade imbalances, depleting foreign reserves, and fostering food dependency.

“By including cassava in wheat flour production, this bill will reduce import costs, stimulate job creation in agriculture, and enhance Nigeria’s cassava market share in foreign exchange earnings,” Mustapha stated.
The bill received overwhelming support from senators, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who described it as being in the “national interest.” Jibrin argued that implementing the cassava-wheat blend would increase cassava production, boost farmers’ incomes, and conserve foreign exchange.

“This legislation will enforce the inclusion of cassava in flour production, as bakers have previously refused to adhere despite expert studies proving its benefits,” Jibrin said. “It’s simple—using 20% cassava will cut our wheat import costs and help the economy.”

Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan recalled initiatives by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to promote cassava bread, urging the current government to embrace economic diversification through agricultural innovation.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Mustapha, also noted that enforcing cassava inclusion in flour production would alleviate poverty through job creation in the agricultural sector and enhance cassava farming
It will alsobStrengthen food security and drive economic growth.

If enacted, the bill could revolutionize the agriculture sector by increasing cassava demand and reducing Nigeria’s wheat import dependency, aligning with the government’s efforts to diversify the economy and promote local production.

The Senate is expected to review the Committee on Agriculture’s report in the coming weeks.