Verbal Clash Erupts Between Kano and Ebonyi Senators During Budget Defence

The Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi representing Ebonyi North, engaged in a verbal confrontation with the Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Rufai Hanga from Kano Central, during a budget defence session on Wednesday before committees from the Senate and House of Representatives focused on Works.

The budget defence was overseen by Senator Hanga, who filled in as Vice Chairman for the absent chairman, Senator Mpigi Barinada from Rivers South East.

The escalating drama unfolded during the session's question and observation segment, following the budget presentation by Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works.

Senator Hanga instructed Nwaebonyi to conclude his comments, urging all lawmakers present to praise the minister as part of his closing remarks.

Nwaebonyi, clearly agitated by Hanga's suggestion, retorted, "You cannot stop me from speaking after allowing Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North, who spoke for 15 uninterrupted minutes."

He insisted, "Please do not interrupt me, as I am only five minutes into my remarks, and you permitted Senator Oshiomhole to speak at length without any interjection. As a senior member, I reserve the right to take control of this session from you."

Hanga, annoyed by Nwaebonyi's answer, asserted that he could not usurp the committee's proceedings, subsequently striking the gavel and ordering Nwaebonyi to refrain from speaking.

Nwaebonyi rebuffed Hanga’s directive, declaring, "As a senior senator from the ruling party, I cannot be silenced by a senator from the minority."

In a strong response, Hanga argued that the votes that secured his election to the Senate in June 2023 vastly exceeded those that Nwaebonyi garnered in his district.

The situation was diffused with the assistance of fellow senators, including Ali Ndume from Borno South and Adamu Aliero from Kebbi Central, who helped restore order to the session.

Prior to their argument, Minister Umahi had addressed allegations concerning the subpar execution of the Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road. He challenged committee members to conduct an on-site inspection of the project, promising he would resign if it failed to meet necessary standards.

Umahi disclosed that out of the N3.245 trillion allocated for the ministry in the 2026 budget, N760 billion was designated for new projects across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria.

He clarified that these new initiatives are distinct from four ongoing legacy projects, with the addition of the Akwanga – Jos – Bauchi – Gombe – Maiduguri road.

He also assured committee members that the N7 trillion required to finalize the ongoing road projects, which NNPCL had withdrawn from, would be secured through bonds in the domestic market.