BY OZOEMENA OSINACHI
The House of Representatives witnessed at Tuesday’s plenary, as members engaged in a shouting match over President Bola Tinubu’s controversial Tax Reform Bills.
Trouble started when the House spokesperson and Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Akin Rotimi, flared up the anger of his colleagues when made a remark concerning the tax bills.
Rotimi, who was standing in for the Committee Chairman , Hon.Boma Goodhead, attempted to present a report on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring.
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!”
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, however quickly intervened, and told members not to take Rotimi’s remarks seriously, saying it was his personal coment
The Speaker also cautioned him, saying: “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.”
But despite the committee chairmans apology, and retraction of his comments, the angry representatives remained dissatisfied, and 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.”