The House of Representatives experienced a chaotic scene on Tuesday as lawmakers engaged in a heated shouting match over President Bola Tinubu’s controversial Tax Reform Bill.
Tensions erupted during a session when the House spokesperson and Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Akin Rotimi, made a comment concerning the tax bills while presenting a report.
Rotimi, who stood in for the absent Committee Chair, Boma Goodhead, was addressing the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Committee report when his remarks ignited a fierce debate.
Rotimi said, “My name is Akin Rotimi Jr. I represent the people of Ekiti North comprising Ikole and Oye Local Governments. Mr. Speaker, I am from Ekiti State, the first state whose National Assembly Caucus has unanimously endorsed the tax bills.”
His remark led to an uproar, with lawmakers vocally opposing the statement and chanting, “No, No, No!”
Intervening, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, said Rotimi’s remark should not be taken seriously.
The Speaker cautioned him, “Restrict yourself to the subject matter. We are not discussing tax bills, as this is a very controversial issue. On your behalf, I withdraw the statement.”
Rotimi apologized and retracted his comment, but the lawmakers remained dissatisfied.
They demanded he step down the report entirely.
Yielding to pressure, Rotimi conceded, saying: “I seek the leave of the Speaker and honourable members to step down the report.”