Senators Disagree As Buhari Requests Approval For N23.7trn Extra-budgetary Spending

There was a disagreement between lawmakers on Wednesday while deliberating over President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to approve N23.7 trillion in extra-budgetary spending.

Naija News understands that the plenary got rowdy after some senators reportedly kicked against the president’s request for funds which the federal government has spent without approval by the national assembly.

It was gathered that the senate uproar started after the chairman of the finance committee, Solomon Olamilekan, presented a report on the president’s “way and means advances” request.

As Olamilekan commenced his presentation, Betty Apiafi, senator representing Rivers west, raised a point of order stating that the request was not constitutional.

But Senate President Ahmad Lawan ruled her out of order, saying: “Let me present his report first… I’m not preventing anyone from speaking.”

Naija News understands that Lawan’s comment elicited uproar as most of the senators engaged in heated debate.

However, when order finally returned to the chamber after about 10 minutes later, Lawan asked Thompson Sekibo, senator representing Rivers east, to speak on the matter.

Citing a constitutional point of order, Sekibo reiterated Apiafi’s stance, explaining that the request was not in line with the constitution.

“It will be a disservice that we have spent that money on behalf of Nigerians.

“It will be wrong for this senate to approve this without details of how the money was spent,” he said.

After his submission, the rowdiness resumed and Lawan — again — had to intervene. The senate president then asked Ibrahim Gobir and Philip Aduda, the majority and minority leaders, respectively, to approach the dias.

As they approached him, the situation worsened and Lawan quickly called for a closed session.