A fierce debate erupted in the Nigerian Senate as senators traded barbs over the approval of N29 trillion in Ways and Means funds from the previous administration.
The contentious issue arose when Senator Ali Ndume accused the Senate of acting unlawfully by approving funds already expended from the Central Bank of Nigeria without proper scrutiny.
Ways and Means funds, typically utilized for emergency government needs, were brought into question during a report submission to the Committee of the Whole, led by Senator Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar.
Senator Ndume cited constitutional provisions, arguing that the Senate lacked the authority to retroactively approve funds that had already been utilized.
Tensions escalated as Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje countered Ndume’s assertions, asserting the Senate’s prerogative to approve such funds.
Ndume remained steadfast, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to constitutional procedures, demanding detailed reports on fund utilization, and said, “Mr President, I was not part of the plenary that gave the nod for Ways and Means but the detail of funds spent was not provided. This is illegal.”
In the midst of the heated exchange, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the Senate’s commitment to thorough oversight, refusing to be a mere rubber stamp and insisting on comprehensive documentation of Ways and Means expenditures.
“We are where we are today as a result of illegal things and I think it is necessary that details of Ways and Means be provided,” Akpabio said.
