Nigerian Senators Clash During Budget Defense Session

The budget defense session in the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee descended into chaos as Senators clashed during the consideration of the 2026 budget proposal by the Ministry of Works. Senator Peter Nwaebonyi and Senator Rufai Hanga (Kano Central) exchanged heated remarks, with Nwaebonyi accusing Hanga of attempting to overrule him due to his party affiliation.

The session briefly stalled before senior lawmakers like Ali Ndume and Adamu Aliero intervened to restore order. Minister David Umahi sparked a debate by challenging lawmakers on the quality of work on road projects.

Umahi disclosed a capital vote of N3.245 trillion in the ministry's 2026 budget, with N760 billion allocated for new projects across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. He assured lawmakers of completing ongoing road projects with a budget of N7 trillion.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was mentioned as a funding source.