By Disun Amosun
Mild drama ensued at yesterday’s House of Representatives plenary as spokesman Rep Akin Rotomi Jnr. made a passing comment on the Tax Bills currently generating underground currents in the green chamber.
A comment made by the House spokesperson and Chairman Committee on Media and Publicity on the controversial tax bills brought out the feelings in some members opposed to it.
When he stood up up to present a report on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, on behalf of the absent Committee chairman, Rep Boma Goodhead, Rotimi said “My name is Akin Rotimi Jr. I represent the people of Equity North comprising Ikole and Oye Local Governments. Mr Speaker, I am from Ekiti State, the first state whose State Assembly caucus unanimously endorsed the tax bills”.
At this point, some lawmakers got offended and began to chant ‘No, No, No’ as the house was thrown into a mild rowdy session.
The Speaker however waded in, saying “He is expressing his personal opinion, he was just talking on a lighter note. Let’s not take it serious”, they added.
“Restrict yourself to the constituency you are representing here. We are not talking about tax bills. It is a very controversial issue” He therefore asked Rep. Rotimi withdrew the statement.
“You know this is a controversial issue. I don’t want you to be mentioning things that are not relevant to the subject matter of discussion, on your behalf, I withdraw that statement that you have made”, he added.
In response, Rotimi apologized, and withdrew the statement but members remained angry and demanded he step down the report.
He was not allowed to present the report and was forced to step the report down.
“I seek the leave of the Speaker and Hon members to step down the report”, he said.
