Nwifuru, Umahi commend Senator Nwaebonyi after budget clash

2026-02-12 - 14:59

By John Alechenu, Abuja Abuja — The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, have commended Senate Deputy Whip, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, for his conduct during a Wednesday face-off with colleagues at the budget defence of the Ministry of Works. Umahi, speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, said there was nothing to be “ashamed of” regarding Nwaebonyi’s actions during the Senate session. “I called the governor, and he also commended Nwaebonyi for what he did. Don’t forget, he is a principal officer of the Senate and from the ruling party. In fact, I will ask the governor to add an additional kilometre to the road in Nwaoebonyi’s constituency,” Umahi said. The clash occurred when Nwaebonyi praised President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works for their performance in the road sector. The Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Rufai Hanga, intervened to ask him to conclude his remarks. Nwaebonyi, asserting his right as a senior member of the ruling party, objected, saying, “You cannot stop me from speaking after allowing Senator Adams Oshiomhole to talk for 15 solid minutes. I’ve barely spent about five minutes, and you are telling me to round up. I won’t.” Senator Hanga responded by asserting his authority as presiding officer and struck the gavel, prompting Nwaebonyi to retort, “I’m a ranking Senator of the ruling party who cannot be ruled against by a minority senator.” Tensions escalated, with attempts by Senators Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) to calm the chamber, before Nwaebonyi left the session in protest. Normalcy was later restored, allowing the budget defence proceedings to continue. The incident follows a wider debate in the Senate on road sector funding, highlighting the sometimes heated exchanges that occur during budget deliberations.