Drama As Senators Clash During Works Ministry 2026 Budget Defence

Drama As Senators Clash During Works Ministry 2026 Budget Defence
Nwaebonyi, Hanga argued over speaking time and party status.
Umahi defended road projects and funding plans before lawmakers.

A budget defence session of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on Works turned rowdy on Wednesday after a heated exchange between Senator Peter Nwaebonyi and Senator Rufai Hanga.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the session, convened to consider the 2026 budget proposal of the Federal Ministry of Works, was presided over by Hanga as Vice Chairman, standing in for the Chairman, Mpigi Barinada.

Proceedings began calmly, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, presenting details of the ministry’s capital estimates and responding to questions from lawmakers.

The tension started when Nwaebonyi, while contributing, praised the minister and urged colleagues to support him. As he continued, Hanga asked him to round off his remarks.

The directive sparked protest from Nwaebonyi.

“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 struck the gavel and ordered him to stop speaking.

The exchange escalated when Nwaebonyi said, “I’m a ranking Senator of the ruling party that cannot be ruled against by a minority senator.”

Hanga rejected the claim and said 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 stalled proceedings before senior lawmakers, including Ali Ndume and Adamu Aliero, intervened.

Earlier, Umahi challenged lawmakers to inspect the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road over claims of poor quality, saying he would step down if it was substandard.

Drama As Senators Clash During Works Ministry 2026 Budget Defence

He said N760bn of the N3.245tn capital vote was earmarked for new projects, separate from legacy projects and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri road. He added that N7tn needed for projects previously handled by NNPCL would be sourced through domestic bonds.