The Nigerian Senate is currently embroiled in a contentious debate over the N29 trillion Ways and Means funds utilized by the immediate past administration. While the initial discussion proceeded smoothly, tensions arose when Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South Senatorial District raised objections, asserting that the Senate had acted unlawfully by approving funds that had already been drawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and expended.
The ‘Ways and Means’ fund represents an overdraft of funds drawn from the CBN to address emergency and contingency needs of the Federal Government. Once these funds are spent, they are required to be sent to the National Assembly for approval and ratification.
Disagreements intensified during the submission of a report to the Committee of the Whole by Senator Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar-led Joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Finance, National Planning, Agriculture, and Appropriation.
Senator Ndume cited relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that the Senate lacked the authority to approve funds that had already been expended. On the other hand, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje argued that the Senate had the power to approve such funds.
Ndume insisted that he did not participate in the plenary session that approved the Ways and Means in advance, emphasizing that after funds are spent, the Executive is expected to provide details of how the funds were expended.
The debate escalated further when Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the need for detailed information, affirming that the 10th Senate would not serve as a rubber stamp. Akpabio stated, “We are facing these challenges today due to illegal actions, and it is imperative that the details of Ways and Means be disclosed.”
Daily Post