A session of the Senate on Wednesday took a dramatic turn during deliberations on the suspension of standing rules to permit members of President Bola Tinubu’s economic team into the chamber. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) sought to suspend Order 12 to allow the Director-General of the Budget Office and Federal Inland Revenue Service Chair, Zacchaeus Adedeji, to elaborate on Tax Reform Bills.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) suggested that such deliberations should be handled by Senate committees, but Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) defended the motion, emphasizing the importance of public transparency in the debates. Following clarifications, Barau ruled in favour of the suspension.
However, tensions rose when Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) criticized the process, leading to a demand for an apology after Barau referred to his comments as “rhetoric.” Barau clarified his statement, asserting no insult was intended, but maintained his ruling. The session eventually allowed Tinubu’s economic team into the chambers.
