Tensions flared on Wednesday, the 11th of February, 2026, during a budget defence session as Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North Central and Senator Rufai Sani Hanga of Kano Central clashed over proceedings.
The confrontation unfolded while the Ministry of Works, led by Minister David Umahi, was defending the 2026 budget. A video from the session, which quickly went viral, captured the intense exchange between the lawmakers.
At one point, Senator Nwaebonyi shouted at his Kano colleague, prompting Hanga to respond firmly: “Don’t shout at me.” The debate escalated as Nwaebonyi asserted, “I can preside over this meeting,” only for Hanga to counter, “No, I am also a presiding officer.”
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Borno State Senator Ali Ndume was seen attempting to calm the situation, reminding Hanga of the cameras recording the session. Despite this, Hanga fired back, highlighting his electoral mandate, stating that he was elected with ten times the number of votes that Nwaebonyi received.