A tense confrontation erupted on February 11 during a budget defence session before the Senate and House Committees on Works, as Senators Peter Nwaebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North) and Rufai Hanga (NNPP, Kano Central) clashed over time management and procedural authority.

Hanga, serving as Vice Chairman in the absence of Committee Chairman Mpigi Barinada, was presiding when the dispute broke out during the question-and-answer segment following a presentation by Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi. Hanga’s request that Nwaebonyi conclude his remarks triggered a sharp reaction from the Deputy Senate Whip.

Nwaebonyi objected to being asked to round up, arguing that Senator Adams Oshiomhole had been allowed to speak uninterrupted for about 15 minutes, while he had spoken for only five. He warned Hanga not to interrupt him and asserted that, as a ranking presiding officer, he could assume control of the session.

Hanga firmly rejected that claim, struck the gavel, and directed Nwaebonyi to stop speaking. The exchange escalated when Nwaebonyi declared that, as a ranking senator from the ruling party, he could not be ruled against by a minority senator.

Hanga countered by referencing his electoral mandate and accused Nwaebonyi of using his time to praise the minister rather than pose substantive questions.

The heated standoff was eventually defused through the intervention of senior lawmakers, including Senators Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central). Ndume was seen urging calm, particularly given the presence of cameras covering the proceedings. Order was subsequently restored, allowing the committee to continue its deliberations.

Earlier in the session, Minister Umahi had defended his ministry’s performance, challenging lawmakers to conduct an on-the-spot inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road amid allegations of substandard work, and vowing to resign if deficiencies were proven.

He outlined that of the N3.245 trillion capital allocation proposed for the ministry in the 2026 budget, N760 billion is earmarked for new projects across the six geo-political zones, separate from four designated legacy projects.

He also announced the inclusion of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri road and assured lawmakers that the N7 trillion previously withdrawn by NNPCL for road completion would be raised through domestic bond markets.