The Senate, yesterday, passed for second reading a proposed N1.78 trillion statutory appropriation bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the 2025 financial year.
   
President Bola Tinubu formally presented the budget proposal in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urging swift passage to facilitate critical development projects within the capital city.
  
In the letter read by Akpabio, the President emphasised that the budget presentation complied with Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) that empowers him to lay the FCT’s budget before the National Assembly.
 
Tinubu highlighted that the proposed budget would boost key sectors, including health, social welfare, agriculture, and employment, stressing that its passage is crucial for delivering an effective and service-oriented administration to FCT residents.
  
He outlined that 85 per cent of the total allocation would be directed towards completing ongoing infrastructure and development projects, while the remaining 15 per cent would fund new initiatives.
 
To facilitate the process, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), called for the suspension of Senate Standing Order 78(1), allowing the bill to scale second reading on the same day it was introduced.
 
The accelerated procedure, however, faced opposition from Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who raised concerns about the lack of prior distribution of copies to members before the debate, citing Order 77 (3 and 4) of the Senate Rules.
  
Despite the objection, the Senate proceeded to debate the general principles of the FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill for the 2025 fiscal year.

HOWEVER, Ningi has declared that the transformation currently sweeping across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is powered by a “borrowed asset” from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike.
   
The commendation came during a plenary, where he delivered a glowing review of infrastructural progress in the federal capital city, boldly crediting Wike’s leadership and performance.
 
Ningi said: “Let’s be honest, if not for the appointment of Nyesom Wike, Abuja would still be in the state it was between 2015 and 2023 – a capital in name, but not in development.”

To confirm his assertion that PDP holds the ace in producing leaders that can deliver, he told Akpabio: “You, Mr. President, are also a product of the PDP, and your performance so far reflects that same pedigree.

“This shows the PDP’s legacy of producing capable and bold leaders committed to results.”
  
He added: “Mr President, one of the most visible impacts of this administration is what we’re seeing in the FCT today. This is thanks to the calibre of leadership deployed there – someone borrowed from our party, the PDP, to deliver results where others had failed.”
 
The lawmaker, however, urged the National Assembly to deepen its oversight of the FCT’s revenue and expenditures, noting that while Wike’s performance has been stellar, accountability must remain a shared priority.
  
In a humorous but telling response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio quipped: “ I don’t know which PDP faction Wike belongs to, but whichever one it is, it’s performing magic – and we are impressed.”
 
He hailed Ningi’s bipartisan commendation, urging continued support for the minister’s efforts while stressing the need for collaboration between the executive and legislative arms.