A storm of frustration swept through the Senate on Friday as lawmakers vented anger over empty committee coffers, stalled budget implementation, and internal disarray, turning what was meant to be a routine budget meeting into a tense political showdown.
The cracks surfaced during an engagement between the Senate Committee on Appropriations and chairmen of standing committees, when Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) delivered a blunt revelation: some Senate committees are completely broke.
Ani disclosed that the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission—despite its inauguration months ago—has not received a single naira to carry out its mandate.
“Mr Chairman, you have laid out a timetable for the 2026 budget, yet my committee cannot even convene meetings with agencies because we have zero allocation,” Ani said, adding that other committees supervising zonal development commissions are in the same predicament.
Backing the claim, Senator Titus Zam (Benue North West) warned that the optimism which greeted the creation of the development commissions is fast evaporating.
“What began with excitement is gradually turning into disappointment—and even lamentation,” Zam cautioned.
The session soon shifted from committee paralysis to the larger crisis of budget execution, with Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Oyewunmi Olalere (Osun West) sounding the alarm over unpaid capital projects under both the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
Olalere warned that the Senate’s promise of a single-budget cycle from April 1, 2026, is under serious threat.
“Today is January 30. That leaves barely two months to clear outstanding obligations from 2024 and 2025,” he said. “If urgent steps are not taken, multiple budget implementation will persist.”
His concerns were echoed by Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi (Osun East), who noted that unpaid contractors from the 2024 budget are still protesting nationwide.
“The evidence is there—contractors are carrying placards. This committee must urgently engage critical stakeholders to tidy up the 2024 and 2025 budgets before April,” Fadaunsi urged.
As tempers simmered over funding failures, matters worsened when senators were kept waiting for nearly three hours due to the late arrival of the Appropriations Committee Chairman, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West).
The meeting, fixed for 10:00 a.m., did not commence until after 12:30 p.m., provoking sharp reactions. Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) openly protested the delay, describing it as disrespectful—particularly on a Friday when Muslim lawmakers must attend Juma’at prayers.
Intervention came from the committee’s Vice Chairman and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North), who pleaded for calm and secured a brief grace period. Moments later, Adeola arrived and issued a public apology.
“I sincerely apologise to my distinguished colleagues. The delay was entirely my responsibility. I accept full accountability and will not shift blame,” he said, blaming the incident on a scheduling mix-up.
In a bid to salvage the day, Adeola announced a two-stage meeting format to accommodate prayers and hinted at an impending shake-up within the committee secretariat.
“You will see action in the secretariat. Heads may roll, and groups will be reorganised,” he warned.
Friday’s events laid bare a troubling mix of funding shortages, execution failures, and administrative lapses, raising fresh questions about the Senate’s preparedness to deliver on its budgetary promises.
As one lawmaker quietly remarked, power may command respect—but time respects no one, not even a committee chairman.
Budget Crunch, Late Chair Spark Tense Showdown in Senate
