Senate Plunged into Chaos as Senators Clash Over Allegations of ‘N500m’ Payments

By Milcah Tanimu

A tumultuous session unfolded in the Senate on Tuesday, triggered by a Point of Order raised by Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The issue escalated when Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, seized control of the proceedings, intensifying the turmoil.

The initial point of order raised by Senator Adeola, an APC Ogun West senator, was in response to allegations made by former Senate Deputy Leader and Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdul Ningi, from the PDP representing Bauchi Central. Ningi had raised concerns about a purported N3 trillion budget padding in the N28.7 trillion 2024 Appropriation Act. He claimed that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year was N25 trillion, while the one being implemented by the Presidency amounted to N28.7 trillion.

The Senate became divided as senators voiced their opinions on the matter. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when Senator Jarigbe added fuel to the fire by disclosing that certain “Senior Senators” received N500 million each from the 2024 Budget, a revelation that further complicated the issue. Jarigbe, a PDP senator, asserted that all senators shared culpability in the matter and expressed his dismay at not receiving any such funds despite being a ranking senator.

In an attempt to restore order, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio intervened, seeking to calm the escalating tensions on the Senate floor. The revelations and allegations surrounding budget discrepancies and financial allocations have intensified the already heated discussions within the Senate.