A budget defence session of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on Works descended into chaos on Wednesday following a heated exchange between Peter Nwaebonyi and Rufai Hanga.
Naijaonpoint reports that the session, convened to consider the 2026 budget proposal of the Federal Ministry of Works, was chaired by Hanga in his capacity as Vice Chairman, standing in for the indisposed Chairman, Mpigi Barinada.
Proceedings had progressed smoothly at the outset, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, presenting details of the ministry’s capital estimates and responding to questions from lawmakers.
Trouble started when Nwaebonyi, while making his remarks, showered praise on the minister and urged fellow lawmakers to support him. As he continued speaking, Hanga cautioned him to round up his comments.
The directive angered Nwaebonyi, who protested what he described as unequal treatment.
“You cannot stop me from speaking after allowing Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) to talk for 15 solid minutes,” he said.
“Please don’t interrupt me because you allowed Senator Oshiomhole to spend not less than 15 minutes to make his remarks, observations and ask questions without any interruption.
“I’ve barely spent about 5 minutes and you are telling me to round up. I won’t and for your information, as ranking presiding officer, I can take over proceedings of this session from you,” he added.
Hanga immediately pushed back, angrily striking the gavel and directing that Nwaebonyi “should stop talking.”
‘Ruling Party’ vs ‘Minority’
The confrontation escalated as Nwaebonyi accused Hanga of attempting to overrule him because he belonged to the minority party.
“I’m a ranking Senator of the ruling party that cannot be ruled against by a minority senator,” Nwaebonyi declared.
Hanga, however, dismissed the claim of superiority, retorting that the votes that brought him to the Senate in June 2023 were “10 times higher” than those secured by Nwaebonyi in Ebonyi North Senatorial District.
The shouting match briefly stalled the session before senior lawmakers, including Ali Ndume and Adamu Aliero, intervened to calm frayed nerves and restore order.
Umahi Throws Open Challenge
Earlier in the session, Umahi had sparked debate when he challenged lawmakers to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road project amid allegations of poor workmanship.
Responding to concerns raised by some members, the minister declared he would step down if the project was found to be substandard.
He disclosed that out of the N3.245tn capital vote earmarked for the ministry in the 2026 budget, N760bn is allocated to new projects spread across the six geo-political zones.
According to him, the new projects are separate from the four “legacy projects” of the current administration, as well as the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri road.
Umahi further assured lawmakers that the N7tn required to complete road projects previously withdrawn from by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited would be sourced through domestic market bonds.