Police: Controversy erupts as senator angrily walks out during budget defence by IGP
The 2025 budget defence session for the Nigeria Police took an unexpected turn on Thursday as Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi, a principal officer in the 10th Senate, stormed out of the proceedings amidst chaos and infighting among lawmakers.
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The incident unfolded during a Joint Committee exercise, leaving a cloud of controversy over the session.
Senator Nwoebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, reportedly left the meeting in anger, prompting a wave of reactions from his colleagues. Members of the House of Representatives, in particular, expressed their displeasure at the senator as he exited the room.
PRINCIPAL OFFICER STORMS OUT OF NIGERIAN POLICE BUDGET DEFENCE
The 2025 budget defence of the Nigeria Police was, on Thursday, marred by rowdiness and rancour among lawmakers. This forced a principal officer in the 10th Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi from Ebonyi North, to… pic.twitter.com/kvMdHYUf3w
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) January 16, 2025
The scene, marked by heightened emotions and tension, reflected deeper issues within the legislative process and the scrutiny of the police budget.
The rowdiness of the session reportedly stemmed from disagreements over budgetary allocations and oversight responsibilities.
Senators and representatives clashed over key elements of the Nigeria Police budget, with accusations of partisanship and inefficiency flying across the room.
Observers noted that Senator Nwoebonyi’s decision to leave was driven by frustration with the conduct of the session and the inability of lawmakers to maintain decorum.
“This was supposed to be a critical exercise for ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians through effective budgeting. Instead, it became a platform for political grandstanding,” a senator said.
The senator’s walkout shows a growing rift among lawmakers in addressing national security issues.
As a principal officer, Nwoebonyi’s actions carry significant weight and have sparked debates about the leadership and cohesion within the 10th National Assembly.
Critics debated that his decision to abandon the session, rather than de-escalate the situation, reflects poorly on the Senate’s commitment to resolving the challenges facing the Nigeria Police.
