A heated exchange unfolded during a budget defence session on Wednesday, February 11, before the Senate and House Committees on Works. The session saw Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North), the Deputy Whip of the Senate, and Senator Rufai Hanga (NNPP, Kano Central), the Deputy Minority Whip, clash over time allocation and procedural matters. Senator Hanga, serving as the Vice Chairman of the Committee in the absence of the indisposed chairman, Mpigi Barinada, was presiding over the session.

The drama ignited during the question and observation segment following the presentation by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi. Senator Hanga advised Senator Nwaebonyi to conclude his remarks, an admonition that visibly infuriated Nwaebonyi. Nwaebonyi retorted, stating, "You cannot stop me from speaking after allowing Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) to talk for 15 solid minutes. 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 five 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.”

Senator Hanga, clearly irked by Nwaebonyi’s challenge, immediately countered, asserting that Nwaebonyi could not assume control of the committee's proceedings. He then forcefully struck the gavel, instructing Nwaebonyi to cease speaking. Nwaebonyi, in turn, escalated the dispute by declaring, “I’m a ranking Senator of the ruling party that cannot be ruled against by a minority senator.” Senator Hanga responded by highlighting his electoral mandate, stating that the votes he received in June 2023 were ten times greater than those Nwaebonyi secured from his Ebonyi North Senatorial District. He also accused Nwaebonyi of merely praising the Minister instead of asking substantive questions.

Normalcy was eventually restored to the session through the timely intervention of several senators, including Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central). Senator Ndume was observed advising Senator Hanga to remain calm, particularly given the presence of cameras.

Prior to this verbal altercation, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had addressed the committee. In response to allegations of substandard work on the crucial Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, he boldly challenged committee members to an on-the-spot assessment of the project, vowing to resign if the work was found to be below standard. Umahi also detailed the ministry's financial allocations, stating that out of the N3.245 trillion capital vote earmarked for the ministry in the 2026 budget, N760 billion is allocated for new projects distributed across the six geo-political zones of the country. These new projects are distinct from four identified legacy projects, with the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri road also being added to the portfolio. The Minister further assured the committee that the N7 trillion required for the completion of road projects, which had been previously withdrawn by the NNPCL, would be successfully sourced from domestic market bonds.