Chaos In the Senate: Umahi’s Budget Defence Sparks Heated Clash Among Senators

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 Senators Peter Nwaebonyi and Rufai Hanga.

The session, convened to review the 2026 budget proposal for the Federal Ministry of Works, was chaired by Hanga in his role as Vice Chairman, standing in for the indisposed Chairman, Mpigi Barinada.

The proceedings began smoothly, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, presenting the ministry’s capital estimates and responding to questions from lawmakers.

Tensions flared when Nwaebonyi, while delivering remarks praising the minister and urging lawmakers to support him, was asked by Hanga to conclude his comments.

Nwaebonyi reacted angrily, claiming unequal treatment. “You cannot stop me from speaking after allowing Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) to talk for 15 solid minutes,” he protested. “I’ve barely spent about five minutes, and you are telling me to wrap up. I won’t. And for your information, as a ranking presiding officer, I can take over proceedings of this session from you.”

Hanga immediately struck the gavel and directed Nwaebonyi to stop speaking.

The confrontation intensified as Nwaebonyi accused Hanga of trying to overrule him because he belonged to the minority party. “I’m a ranking Senator of the ruling party and cannot be overruled by a minority senator,” he declared.

Hanga dismissed the claim, pointing out that the votes that brought him to the Senate in June 2023 were “10 times higher” than those won by Nwaebonyi in the Ebonyi North Senatorial District.

The shouting match briefly stalled proceedings until senior lawmakers, including Ali Ndume and Adamu Aliero, intervened to calm tensions and restore order.

Umahi Challenges Lawmakers
Earlier in the session, Minister Umahi sparked debate by challenging lawmakers to inspect the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road project in response to allegations of poor workmanship. He stated he would resign if the project was found substandard.

Umahi disclosed that out of the N3.245 trillion capital vote allocated to the ministry in the 2026 budget, N760 billion is earmarked for new projects across the six geo-political zones. These new initiatives are separate from the administration’s four “legacy projects” and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri road.

He further assured lawmakers that the N7 trillion needed to complete road projects previously abandoned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited would be sourced through domestic market bonds.