Drama Erupts In Senate As Senators Trade Words Over Committee Budget Crisis
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Several senators have sounded the alarm over what they described as insufficient funding, warning that the lack of financial support is hampering the operations of Senate standing committees and hindering budget implementation.
The concerns were raised on Friday during a meeting between Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and the chairpersons of various standing committees.
The first to highlight the issue was Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South), who revealed that the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission has not received any funding since its inauguration.
“Mr. Chairman, you have outlined the timetable for committee consideration of the 2026 budget, but our committee has no funds to even convene meetings with relevant agencies due to zero allocation since our formation,” Ani stated. He added that, based on credible information, other committees overseeing zonal development commissions have also yet to receive financial support, questioning how they could function effectively under such conditions.
Similarly, Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Chairman of the Senate Committee on North Central Development Commission, warned that the initial enthusiasm surrounding the creation of these commissions is at risk of turning into disappointment due to the funding shortfall. “Lack of funding for the Committees on Zonal Development Commissions in the Senate is gradually turning the excitement that heralded them into lamentation,” he said.
Extending the discussion to broader budget concerns, Deputy Minority Leader Senator Oyewunmi Olalere (PDP, Osun West) urged the Appropriations Committee to ensure that revenue-generating agencies deliver as expected to allow effective funding of the budget. He noted, “The promise of single budget implementation from April 1 is at risk because parts of the capital component of the 2024 budget remain unpaid, not to mention the 30% capital allocation of the 2025 budget set to expire by March 31.” With January 30 already passed, Olalere emphasized that only two months remain to clear outstanding obligations from the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (APC, Osun East) echoed similar concerns, urging the committee to take action with relevant authorities. “The 2024 budget debts have not been settled,” he said, adding that unpaid contractors are still protesting publicly. Fadaunsi stressed the importance of engaging key stakeholders to resolve the 2024 and 2025 budget issues before April 1, 2026.
However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) called for calm, advising colleagues to withhold judgment until the full details of the ₦58.472 trillion 2026 budget are released. Following his intervention, Senator Adeola, the Appropriations Committee Chairman, moved the meeting into an executive session, requesting that journalists leave.
