Senate in rowdy session over police budget defence

A 2025 budget defence at the National Assembly on Thursday descended into a rowdy session as lawmakers debated discrepancies in the Nigeria Police Force’s 2024 budget details.

The disagreement began during a presentation by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who was outlining funds allocated for constructing five zonal police headquarters.

The session took a contentious turn when a member of the House of Representatives, Mark Esset (Akwa Ibom), interrupted, questioning why the IGP’s presentation details were not reflected in the documents provided to lawmakers.

Peter Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North), deputy whip, APC, expressed frustration over not receiving the same document the IGP was referencing.

“We are here to serve Nigerians, and Nigerians should see us as a serious institution,” Nwebonyi stated, emphasising the need for accurate documentation.

Efforts to clarify the situation were disrupted by a heated exchange, particularly after the Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Abubakar Yalleman, overruled Nwebonyi’s Point of Order and allowed the IGP to continue.

This decision further angered the senator, who stormed out of the session amid jeers from House members.

Hon. Yusuf Gagdi (Plateau State), a House member, later defended the committee’s decision to proceed with the presentation, citing established parliamentary rules that prohibit interruptions without proper procedure.

Despite the tension, IGP Egbetokun resumed his presentation, highlighting the police force’s financial challenges and advocating for its removal from the “envelope” budgetary system.

He revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the annual police recruitment quota from 10,000 to 30,000, a move he said would significantly enhance the force’s performance.

The IGP appealed to lawmakers for better funding to enable the police to fulfill its mandate effectively.

“We depend solely on budgetary allocation, and we are glad this committee recognizes the gross underfunding of the police,” he said.

The session concluded with the IGP reiterating the urgent need for increased financial support for the police force.