Less than a day after ECOWAS replaced former President Goodluck Jonathan with ex–Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as head of its Election Observer Mission to Côte d’Ivoire, the House of Representatives has begun an investigation into a $460 million Chinese loan taken during Jonathan’s administration.
The loan, signed in 2010, was meant to install CCTV cameras across important locations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to improve security. However, more than a decade later, many of the cameras are reportedly not working, and lawmakers are now asking what happened to the money.
Interestingly, the House — which has been in session for over two years — is only reopening the matter now, 15 years after the deal was signed.
The timing of the probe has raised eyebrows, as it comes amid rumours that Jonathan might contest the 2027 presidential election. Some observers believe the investigation may be politically motivated, pointing to President Bola Tinubu’s influence over both ECOWAS and the National Assembly, which is largely controlled by his party.
Analysts warn that if Jonathan’s rumored comeback continues to gather support, he may face more political challenges and scrutiny in the days ahead.
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