Nigeria has secured a $238 million loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the expansion and modernization of the national power grid.

The deal, confirmed during engagements at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, reflects a strategic shift towards implementation-driven energy development.

President Bola Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria’s participation at TICAD9 focused on concrete, outcome-oriented partnerships rather than ceremonial diplomacy.

“We are moving from planning to implementation, from agreements to delivery, and from promises to measurable results,” he said.

Details of the JICA Loan Project

The $238 million loan, supported by a Federal Executive Council counterpart funding of ₦19,083,192,805.30, will finance significant upgrades to Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.

Key components of the project include:

Construction of 102.95 km of new 330kV double-circuit lines

Construction of 104.59 km of 132kV double-circuit lines

Development of four 330/132/33kV substations and two 132/33kV substations

Multiple line bay extensions to improve efficiency and reduce system losses

According to Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the partnership with Japanese companies such as Toshiba, Hitachi, and Japan’s Transmission & Distribution Corporation is essential for unlocking Nigeria’s energy potential.

“Our focus is on transmission infrastructure, operational efficiency, and strategies to reduce system losses.

This $238 million loan from JICA provides the backbone for that transformation,” Adelabu explained.

Adelabu acknowledged Japan’s consistent support for Nigeria’s power sector, highlighting contributions in infrastructure, technical studies, training, and financing.

He emphasized that JICA’s backing is critical to expanding access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity across the country.

The project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s power transmission network, improve system reliability, and enhance overall efficiency, ultimately supporting industrial growth and meeting rising electricity demand nationwide.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has slammed the Federal Government’s approval of ₦142 billion for the construction of bus terminals across Nigeria, describing it as a reckless misplacement of priorities.

Obi issued a statement on Friday, August 22, via his Official X formerly Twitter platform, warning that the project reflects poor leadership and lack of focus in managing Nigeria’s limited resources. He titled his statement, “₦142 Billion for Bus Terminals.”

According to him, the true test of leadership is how scarce resources are prioritized.

He stressed that investing such a huge amount in bus terminals while critical sectors like healthcare suffer shows a government that is out of touch with citizens’ realities.

Obi said: “The difference between success and failure in any nation is how leaders prioritise resources.

The decision to spend ₦142 billion on six bus terminals exposes a lack of competence and vision. It is a clear sign of poor leadership.”

The Federal Executive Council had recently approved the funds for the construction of one modern bus terminal in each of the six geopolitical zones.

The government described it as part of efforts to modernise transport infrastructure and improve mobility nationwide.

But Obi strongly disagreed. He compared the allocation to healthcare funding, pointing out that the combined budget for all teaching hospitals and federal psychiatric centres in Nigeria is less than ₦100 billion in the 2024 budget.

“This is disturbing,” Obi continued, “because health remains one of the most critical sectors of development. Yet it is underfunded and deteriorating rapidly.

The World Health Organization has reported that over 20 million Nigerians live with mental health conditions.

This is a tragic irony. How can the government ignore this crisis and focus on bus terminals?”

He argued that the health sector, alongside education and poverty reduction programs, deserves priority attention.

Obi insisted that until government spending reflects the real needs of Nigerians, the country will remain trapped in poor governance.

Many Nigerians have also taken to social media to express anger, echoing Obi’s concerns. Critics argue that the decision proves the Federal Government is disconnected from the economic struggles of ordinary citizens.

For Obi, the ₦142 billion project is not just a case of wrong timing.

He sees it as a clear example of governance failure and misplaced priorities.

The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended four lawmakers for six months after they allegedly attempted to impeach Speaker Aondona Dajoh on Thursday night.

The affected members are Alfred Berger of Makurdi North, Terna Shimawua of Kian constituency, Cyril Ekong of Obi constituency, and James Umoru of Apa constituency.

Their suspension was announced during Friday’s sitting.

Majority Leader Saater Tiseer raised a motion of urgent importance, accusing the four lawmakers of plotting to destabilize the assembly with what he described as an unnecessary crisis.

The House adopted the motion, and the Speaker ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the suspended lawmakers out of the chambers.

The suspension also triggered changes in leadership positions. Berger, who previously served as the Assembly’s spokesperson, was replaced by Audu Elias on the directive of Speaker Dajoh.

Tension had been brewing in the Benue Assembly in recent weeks, with divisions among members deepening over political alignments and governance issues.

Thursday night’s failed impeachment move reportedly escalated the crisis, leading to Friday’s disciplinary action.

The suspension marks another turbulent chapter in the state’s politics.

In recent months, the Benue Assembly has clashed over commissioner nominations, governance direction, and security concerns across the state.

Observers fear the latest crisis could distract the House from tackling pressing issues, including widespread insecurity and economic hardship facing residents.

Political analysts also warn that the suspension may further polarize members and deepen divisions in the ruling structure of the Assembly.

The development adds to Benue’s growing list of political confrontations, highlighting the fragile relationship between lawmakers and leadership in the state.

(DDM) – Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has stressed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be fully united before serious talks on its 2027 presidential candidate can begin.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the call came during the PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit held in Ikeja, Lagos, where top party stakeholders convened to deliberate on internal reforms and a credible zoning formula ahead of the party’s national convention.

Makinde told reporters after the closed-door session that rebuilding trust, strengthening internal cohesion, and reconnecting with Nigerians must be the primary agenda before candidate selection.

He warned that rushing into zoning or candidate discussions without first addressing structural cracks within the party would doom the PDP to another electoral disaster.

The governor noted that critics who claim PDP is politically dead will be proven wrong as the party regains its organisational strength.

He insisted that the outcome of the Lagos meeting had already demonstrated the party’s willingness to put aside internal disputes for the sake of unity and national credibility.

Makinde emphasised that the summit was not statutory but necessary to engage stakeholders across all southern states in meaningful dialogue.

He added that democracy thrives on consultation, inclusivity, and respect for diverse voices within a party structure.

He said democracy should not be reduced to mere power grabs but should reflect credible engagement that represents the will of the people.

The Lagos summit was attended by prominent PDP leaders, including Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, and representatives of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

Also present were former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Bode George, Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, and several former governors including Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Udom Emmanuel, and Sam Egwu.

Makinde revealed that at least 12 of the 17 southern states were fully represented by zoning committee members, National Assembly representatives, and party elders.

The gathering also discussed the strategic role of the southern region in shaping the PDP’s chances in 2027, particularly given the intense political calculations expected around power rotation.

PDP’s history of zoning has been controversial, often sparking internal divisions over whether the presidency should rotate between the North and South.

In 2022, the party faced criticism after nominating Atiku Abubakar from the North despite calls for a southern candidate, a decision many analysts say fractured its support base in the 2023 elections.

This historical backdrop has heightened expectations ahead of the 2027 convention, with southern leaders pressing for early consultations to avoid past mistakes.

Makinde acknowledged that winning recent by-elections, particularly in Oyo State, had boosted PDP’s morale and disproved claims that the party was politically irrelevant.

He said the success reflected the resilience of PDP supporters and the commitment of its leaders to reclaim national dominance through hard work and strategic alliances.

The governor stressed that Nigerians are yearning for an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the PDP must present itself as a credible force.

He explained that Thursday’s meeting was part of a broader strategy to ensure the party’s zoning formula reflects fairness, justice, and national balance.

He also confirmed that more consultations will take place across southern states and eventually at the national level before the convention.

Political observers note that Thursday’s summit reflects growing pressure on the PDP to consolidate its base ahead of a highly competitive election season.

Analysts argue that the party’s ability to reconcile its factions and adopt an inclusive approach could determine its viability in 2027.

Makinde expressed confidence that the deliberations in Lagos would pave the way for further engagements capable of repositioning the party for victory.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient and optimistic as the PDP undertakes internal reforms to rebuild confidence in its leadership.

The meeting was called under the auspices of the PDP Zoning Committee, chaired by Governor Douye Diri, and was described as a success by attendees.

Stakeholders are expected to reconvene in the coming weeks for broader consultations and final recommendations before the party’s National Executive Council meeting.

Makinde closed by reiterating that zoning, candidate selection, and electoral strategy would only succeed if the PDP first restores unity, discipline, and credibility within its ranks.

(DDM) – Donald Chidi Amamgbo, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the Anambra South Senatorial by-election, has alleged collusion between Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Amamgbo accused both parties of conspiring to disenfranchise voters and compromise democratic principles during the poll.

INEC declared Emma Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the winner, while Amamgbo finished a distant third.

In an exclusive interview, Amamgbo described the election as a “dangerous pattern of systemic sabotage, desecration of all democratic norms, collusion, and deliberate disenfranchisement.”

He warned that such electoral practices threaten the very foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.

Amamgbo alleged that INEC deliberately withheld accreditation tags for his party’s ward and local government collation agents on the eve of the poll.

He argued that this crippled ADC’s ability to monitor results and protect supporters’ votes during critical stages of collation.

The candidate further referenced a statement attributed to Governor Soludo, describing ADC and Labour Party as “dead in Anambra,” calling it evidence of political bias.

“In Ihiala, INEC circulated a doctored list of polling agents that did not match the authentic list duly submitted and uploaded by our party,” Amamgbo alleged.

“These are not mistakes. They are acts of sabotage,” he stated.

He accused the APGA-led government of normalizing vote-buying and exploiting economic hardship to sway voters.

The candidate insisted that the election produced a senator who would act as a “puppet” under Soludo’s influence, rather than serving the people independently.

Amamgbo called for a comprehensive review of the electoral process in Anambra South and reforms to strengthen INEC’s independence, transparency, and accountability.

He urged the public not to accept the outcome as “one of those things” but to demand justice and democratic integrity.

COPDEM fires back, demands urgent electoral review

The Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) has condemned the allegations of electoral malpractice, describing them as a grave indictment of Nigeria’s democratic system.

COPDEM, in a statement to DDM, demanded an immediate independent review of the election.

The group urged INEC to investigate claims of collusion and take decisive action to restore public confidence in future polls.

Political observers believe the controversy may spark a legal battle if Amamgbo decides to challenge the results in court.