By David Odama
The controversial tax reform bills , Thursday passed for second reading by the Senate in plenary
The passage of the reform bills totalling four , for second reading by the Senate , was sequel to presentations made to that effect by the Senate Leader , Senator Opeyemi Bamidele ( APC Ekiti Central ) , in general lead debate on them .
After lead debate presentations on the bills by the Senate Leader , many of the Senators who made contributions on the bills such as Senators Sani Musa ( APC Niger East), Seriake Dickson ( PDP Bayelsa West ) , Abba Moro ( PDP Benue South) and Senate Whip , Tahir Monguno ( APC Borno North ) , fully supported the bill .
But in the contrary , Senator Ali Ndume ( APC Borno South ) , kicked against the reform bills on the grounds of timing and lack of wider consultations .
The Senate at the session presided over by its President , Godswill Akpabio , accordingly passed the bills for second reading through voice votes .
The Senate therefore directed its committee on Finance , to organise Public hearing on the bill for inputs from those against the bills such as the Governors’s forum , National Economic Council ( NEC ) , Northern Elders ‘ Forum amongst others and report back within six weeks .