House of Representatives descended into a rowdy session on Tuesday, Decemver 3, after Akin Rotimi, a member from Ekiti State (APC), made a passing remark in support of the contentious tax reform bills.
The bills, sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, have faced significant opposition, particularly from lawmakers in the North.
Rotimi, who also serves as the spokesman of the House, was scheduled to present a report on behalf of the House Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring. While introducing himself before presenting the report, Rotimi stated, “I am from Ekiti State, the very first state in the NASS Caucus that has unanimously endorsed the tax reform bills.”
This remark sparked outrage among lawmakers, with a chorus of “no, no” interrupting his presentation. Many lawmakers accused Rotimi of inflaming an already divisive issue, prompting a rowdy session that disrupted proceedings. Despite efforts by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to intervene, the chamber remained unruly.
“He was just speaking on a light note, let’s not take it serious,” the Speaker said in an attempt to calm the agitated lawmakers.
He described Rotimi’s statement as controversial and formally withdrew it on Rotimi’s behalf, adding, “Hon. Rotimi, you know this is a controversial issue. I wouldn’t want you to mention things that are not relevant to the subject matter. So please, on your behalf, I withdraw that statement. So please, let us not repeat it again. Go ahead and raise your motion.”
Despite this intervention, lawmakers continued to shout down Rotimi, forcing him to sit down without presenting his report.
The Speaker eventually ruled that the House dissolve into the committee of the whole for consideration of reports. At that point, Speaker Abbas stepped down from the chair, allowing his deputy, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, to oversee the proceedings.
