Senate Exposes N90Billion 'Secret Deal' — Senator Kawu Fires Back

Senator Kawu has refused to back down after the Senate leadership publicly disclosed a N90 billion financial arrangement that has ignited fierce debate over unpaid contractor debts and President Bola Tinubu's foreign borrowing programme. The National Assembly in Abuja revealed details of the deal on Tuesday, triggering immediate backlash from opposition lawmakers and contractor groups who say thousands of workers remain unpaid for infrastructure projects. Senator Kawu, whose constituents include businesses still waiting for settlement, rejected accusations linking him to the arrangement and told reporters that he cannot be pressured into silence on the matter.

What the Senate Disclosed

The Senate Committee on Finance confirmed the existence of the N90 billion allocation during a heated session on Tuesday. Committee chairman Senator Olamilekan Adebo chaired the proceedings as officials from the Ministry of Finance were summoned to explain how the funds were drawn and approved. Records from the National Assembly library show the arrangement was initiated during the second quarter of the current fiscal year. Ministry officials insisted that all disbursements followed established procurement rules. However, contractor representatives present at the session disputed this claim, presenting unpaid invoices dating back several months.

Contractors Left Waiting

Construction firms that built roads, bridges, and health centres across northern Nigeria say they have received no payment despite completing work. The Kano-based firm Alhaji Bello Construction submitted documents showing N2.3 billion in completed projects that remain unpaid. Workers at the firm have not received wages since August. Senator Kawu raised the firm's case during the Senate session, demanding immediate action from the finance ministry. The government faces pressure from civil society organisations that have threatened legal action if payment is not processed within 30 days. Local officials in Katsina State confirmed that infrastructure projects worth over N4 billion have stalled due to contractor disputes.

Senator Kawu's Response

The senator issued a direct challenge to his critics on Tuesday afternoon, telling journalists outside the National Assembly that he will not be silenced. "I cannot be blackmailed by anyone seeking to deflect attention from where the real responsibility lies," he said. The remark appeared aimed at unnamed political figures who have suggested that opposition to the deal amounts to self-interest. Senator Kawu represents a constituency where delayed payments have crippled small businesses. He called on the Senate leadership to investigate the full chain of approval for the N90 billion allocation rather than targeting individual lawmakers who raised concerns.

Presidential Borrowing Under Scrutiny

The controversy emerges against a backdrop of rising foreign debt under President Bola Tinubu's administration. The Central Bank of Nigeria reported external debt of $41.6 billion in the latest quarterly statement. Critics in the National Assembly have questioned whether loans contracted by the executive are being spent transparently. Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the need for stronger oversight mechanisms but defended the current administration's borrowing strategy. The N90 billion arrangement has become a flashpoint in the broader debate about fiscal responsibility and democratic accountability.

Debt Service eating into budget

Federal Ministry of Finance data shows debt servicing consumed 91 percent of revenue in the first half of the year. This leaves little room for capital expenditure on infrastructure. Opposition senators have demanded a forensic audit of all loans contracted since Tinubu took office. The Minister of Finance Wale Edun addressed the Senate on Wednesday, stating that all N90 billion was allocated for capital projects. He did not specify which contractors received payment.

Transparency Questions

Civil society groups say the disclosure exposes deeper problems with how Nigeria manages public finances. The Human Rights Writers Association called for an independent investigation into the N90 billion arrangement. Transparency International's Nigeria chapter released a statement warning that such deals undermine public trust in government institutions. Ordinary citizens are watching closely as the controversy unfolds. In markets across Lagos and Abuja, small business owners say delayed government contracts have forced them to lay off workers.

What's Next

The Senate finance committee is expected to release a full report on the N90 billion allocation by the end of this month. Contractors are demanding a clear timeline for payment before pursuing legal remedies. Senator Kawu has indicated he will continue pressing for answers regardless of pressure from his colleagues. The National Assembly leadership must decide whether to back the finance ministry's account or push for deeper investigation. Observers say the outcome will set a precedent for how future large-scale expenditures are scrutinised. With the 2025 budget cycle approaching, both the executive and the legislature face renewed calls to demonstrate fiscal discipline. The next Senate session is scheduled for November, where the controversy is expected to dominate proceedings.