Drama as Senate Budget Defence Turns Rowdy

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Wednesday presented a N3.245 trillion capital proposal for the ministry’s 2026 budget before the National Assembly, announcing that N760 billion has been allocated for new projects across the six geo-political zones. He told lawmakers that the fresh projects are separate from the four presidential legacy projects and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri road corridor, while assuring that major highways nationwide would receive priority attention.

Addressing funding concerns, Umahi said the N7 trillion required to complete road projects previously financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) would be sourced through domestic market bonds. He also responded to allegations of substandard work on the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road, inviting members of the committee to carry out an on-the-spot inspection and pledging to resign if the project fails to meet required standards.

However, the budget defence session was briefly overshadowed by a heated exchange between the Deputy Senate Whip, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (APC, Ebonyi), and Senator Hanga (NNPP, Kano), who presided over the meeting in the absence of the Committee Chairman, Senator Mpigi Barinada. The disagreement arose during Nwaebonyi’s remarks commending the minister and the President, after he was asked to round off his contribution.

The confrontation escalated into a shouting match, prompting Nwaebonyi to storm out despite efforts by Senator Ali Ndume and others to ease tensions. Calm was eventually restored, allowing the committee to continue deliberations on the ministry’s 2026 budget proposal.