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Public affairs analyst, Mahdi Shehu, has criticized the National Assembly for its decision to investigate the $460 million Chinese loan acquired by former President Goodluck Jonathan for the Abuja Metropolitan CCTV project, labeling the action as politically motivated and hypocritical.
In a post shared on X on Thursday night, Shehu referred to the probe as a futile endeavor and an attempt to disgracefully display oneself in public while being condemned by onlookers.
He stated that the lawmakers' decision to revisit a project approved over ten years ago reflects what he termed limitless shamelessness and an ill-conceived venture into murky waters.
“Jonathan has suddenly become an adversary that must be dismantled, restrained, or intimidated due to the approaching 2027 elections; a time when no one can assure their presence,” he wrote.
Shehu contended that the loan in question was properly processed and sanctioned by the National Assembly during Jonathan’s tenure, in contrast to numerous loans secured under subsequent administrations.
He compared the debt figures from various administrations, pointing out that while Jonathan left a debt stock of approximately N12 trillion, former President Muhammadu Buhari increased it to N77 trillion, and the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu has reportedly accumulated N144 trillion and continues to grow.
“Unlike Buhari’s and Tinubu’s burdensome loan spree, Jonathan’s CCTV loan underwent legislative scrutiny and was duly approved by the National Assembly,” Shehu asserted.
The outspoken critic accused lawmakers of engaging in selective investigations, claiming they have ignored more dubious transactions from previous and current administrations.
“If the National Assembly possessed any sense of investigative integrity, they would be probing Buhari’s N30 trillion 'Ways and Means' acquired in complete secrecy and backed by the compliant Senate of that administration,” he added.
Shehu also questioned the lack of investigation into what he described as Tinubu’s convenient loans, which he claimed have surged to N150 trillion, along with the alleged N7 trillion budget padding for 2025 and N10.5 trillion in constituency projects that reportedly failed.
He further highlighted unresolved issues, such as the alleged N210 trillion unaccounted proceeds from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from 2017 to 2023, and the $7 billion allocated for refinery repairs, which, according to him, has gone missing.
“Just last week, the Finance Minister asserted that they distributed N330 billion to vulnerable groups without a single verifiable piece of evidence. Yet, the National Assembly endorsed his mandate,” Shehu wrote.
He expressed disappointment that the lawmakers have overlooked the plight of millions of Nigerians facing poverty and hunger.
“Currently, 139 million Nigerians live in squalor and extreme poverty, with 39 million malnourished children and 69 million children out of school, while university lecturers and doctors are on strike. Yet, none of these issues seem to concern the National Assembly,” he said.
“All these victims of injustice are praying daily, and the day their prayers are answered will be one of regret when regret holds no value.”
“Nigerians are still awaiting the National Assembly to conduct a public hearing and investigate the findings of Mr. Obaze, who looked into the central bank,” he added.
