A clash erupted in the National Assembly on Thursday during discussions on the 2025 budget as Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun defended the Nigeria Police Force’s proposed financial plan.
The session became heated when two lawmakers questioned discrepancies between the IGP’s oral presentation and the budget documents previously distributed.
Efforts by the committee chairman to proceed with the presentation while addressing the concerns were met with fierce opposition, sparking a loud argument that culminated in a senator walking out of the proceedings.
Calm was eventually restored, allowing the IGP to resume his defence.
He reiterated his persistent call to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the restrictive “envelope budgeting” system, arguing that the framework limits the Force’s capacity to tackle critical security issues effectively.
In response, Senator Abdul Ningi and other lawmakers challenged the validity of the envelope budget system, asserting that it lacked legal backing and had not been ratified by the National Assembly.
While some legislators supported retaining the existing structure, others advocated for a more adaptable, needs-driven funding approach to better support the police in addressing security challenges.