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Lawmaker Walkout Disrupts Police Chief’s 2025 Budget Defence Session at National Assembly

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ABUJA, Nigeria – A tense session of the National Assembly descended into chaos on Thursday, January 14, 2025, during the Nigeria Police Force’s 2025 budget defence, as lawmakers clashed over procedural issues, culminating in a dramatic walkout by Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi of Ebonyi North.

The Joint Committee on Police Affairs, tasked with scrutinising the budget and funding requests for the police, was thrown into turmoil shortly after Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun began his presentation.

Tensions flared when IGP Egbetokun outlined plans for constructing five zonal police headquarters but was interrupted by Representative Mark Esset of Akwa Ibom, who pointed out that critical figures were missing from the budget documents provided to lawmakers.

Senator Nwoebonyi expressed frustration at the lack of comprehensive documentation, insisting that the IGP supply all relevant details before proceeding.

However, the Committee Chairman overruled his objection, allowing Egbetokun to continue his presentation.

The decision led to further discord, with Nwoebonyi accusing the committee of failing to uphold transparency and accountability.

Amid growing tension, Senator Nwoebonyi gathered his belongings and stormed out of the session, exchanging heated words with some House members who heckled him as he exited.

His departure disrupted proceedings, leaving other lawmakers visibly shaken and voicing disappointment over the breakdown in order.

Ranking Lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi later defended the committee’s handling of the session, emphasising the importance of adhering to parliamentary rules.

“Members must wait to be recognised before speaking,” Gagdi said, underlining the need for decorum in such critical deliberations.

Once the session resumed, IGP Egbetokun addressed the financial hurdles facing the police force.

He called for the removal of the police from the restrictive “envelope” budgeting system, which caps funding based on predetermined limits.

He argued that a more flexible and adequate funding model was essential for addressing the country’s growing security challenges.

Egbetokun also announced a significant development approved by President Bola Tinubu—a threefold increase in the police’s annual recruitment quota, from 10,000 to 30,000 personnel.

“This increase in recruitment will go a long way in helping the police force to meet the growing demands of national security,” Egbetokun stated.

He stressed that sufficient funding and expanded manpower would be pivotal in enhancing the force’s performance in the coming year.

The walkout by Senator Nwoebonyi and the subsequent disruption have reignited concerns about accountability and effective legislative oversight in Nigeria’s National Assembly.

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