In a dramatic Senate session marked by heated debates, impassioned pleas, and mounting frustration, the Nigerian Senate leadership on Tuesday blocked a motion seeking to investigate the federal government’s failure to implement the ₦9.995 trillion capital component of the ₦28.777 trillion 2024 national budget.

Despite bipartisan calls for accountability and transparency over the budget’s non-implementation, the session ended without a vote on the proposed probe, a decision attributed to the intervention of Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session.

The capital component of the 2024 Appropriation Act, initially scheduled to expire on June 30, 2025, was slated for amendment due to delays in the execution of its capital projects. Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, introduced the 2024 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB.854), seeking to extend the lifespan of the capital component by another six months, to December 31, 2025.

Adeola argued that the extension was necessary to allow Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) sufficient time to utilise the large capital funds already released fully. He emphasised that some critical projects risked being abandoned if the extension was not approved.

“There is a need for further extension for the funds to be fully and judiciously expended… This bill, therefore, provides for the extension… to 31st December 2025,” Adeola said while urging swift passage.

However, a twist suddenly emerged, to the extent that senators began to push for a serious investigation to unravel the cause of the failed budget implementation.

While no senator opposed the extension in principle, many voiced deep dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to implement the capital component, a failure seen as undermining both the executive’s credibility and the legislature’s authority.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (Benue South), supported the extension reluctantly, warning that ongoing delays had discouraged contractors and jeopardised future projects.

“Unless we take it seriously with the Ministry of Finance, this Parliament will become an embarrassment to itself,” Moro cautioned.

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), lamented the paralysis of government operations, blaming political distractions and poor fiscal prioritisation.

“The recurrent component has been fully implemented, but not the capital, the part that benefits Nigerians. Contractors are unpaid, projects are stalled, and yet we’re told there’s money,” Dickson said, calling for a formal probe by the Senate committees on Appropriation and Finance.

Echoing Dickson’s concerns, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) warned of eroding public trust in the government’s promises. He suggested that the leadership of the National Assembly should personally meet with the President to address the fiscal impasse.

“We’re being taken for a ride. This government has to come and explain to Nigerians what is happening,” Ningi asserted, noting that the implementation of the 2025 budget had not even commenced.

Despite overwhelming support for an investigative motion, the session took a sharp turn when Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau refused to put the matter to a vote.

“Even though we are not happy where we are, things are planned well in the interest of the country,” Barau stated, brushing aside the growing calls for accountability.

Instead of initiating a formal investigation, Barau redirected the responsibility to the Senate committees on Appropriations and Finance, claiming they were already empowered under Senate rules to look into such matters.