The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has summoned several key Ministers to appear on Wednesday to account for over $2 billion in investments and grants allocated for renewable energy development in Nigeria since 2015.

Despite this significant funding, power supply across the country remains poor, prompting the committee to question the effectiveness of these investments.

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The ministers expected to attend include Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation; and Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.

This investigative hearing, chaired by Afam Ogene, representative of the Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, aims to uncover how these funds were utilized and why they have not led to measurable improvements in energy access.

The hearings, scheduled for November 5 and 6, stem from a June 6 mandate directing the Committee to investigate the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) involved in managing renewable energy investments, procurement, and grants.

However, on the first day of the hearing, the ministers opted to send representatives, a move that disappointed Ogene and the committee.

Expressing his frustration, Ogene reminded officials that the Constitution grants the National Assembly power to summon public officers for investigative hearings.

He cited Section 81(1) of the Constitution, which states, “Each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has the power to make laws.”

The Chairman emphasized that this authority also includes oversight of “the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”

During Tuesday’s hearing, Ogene invited the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to deliver a presentation, only for Felix Okonkwo, a director in the ministry, to stand in on his behalf.

When questioned, Okonkwo admitted he was authorized to “take some responsibilities but not all,” prompting Ogene to insist that the minister appear in person on Wednesday.

“Tell your minister to appear before this committee on Wednesday. It is not meant to witch-hunt anybody. A situation where invitations are sent about three times to heads of MDAs and they would still not appear to make their presentations is not acceptable,” Ogene warned.

Similarly, when Suleiman Abubakar, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology, tried to speak on behalf of his minister, Ogene instructed him to notify his principal to attend personally.

“You have no locus to stand in for the Minister. He should appear in person on Wednesday. We wrote to the Minister, not a directorate,” Ogene asserted.

Also summoned to the hearing on Wednesday are officials from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, and the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

In a final push on Election Day, Republican presidential contender, Donald Trump expressed confidence about reclaiming the White House, while reiterating his concerns about the security of electronic voting machines.

After casting his ballot in Florida, Trump told reporters, “I feel very confident.”

He added, “I believe we ran a great campaign,” referring to his race against Democratic rival Kamala Harris.

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While Trump voiced his confidence, he also underscored his willingness to accept defeat if the election was conducted fairly.

“If I lose an election, if it’s a fair election, I would be the first one to acknowledge it. So far, I think it’s been fair,” Trump said, though he added that his acceptance would hinge on perceived election integrity.

In particular, Trump has voiced concerns about electronic voting machines, suggesting they are less secure than paper ballots.

Wearing a red “Make America Great Again” cap, he remarked, “They spend all this money on machines… If they would use paper ballots, voter ID, proof of citizenship, and one-day voting, it would all be over by 10 o’clock in the evening. It’s crazy.”

Trump further commented on the potential for election unrest. When asked whether he would urge supporters to remain peaceful, he dismissed the question, asserting that his supporters are “not violent people.”

As voting concludes, Trump’s statements add to the polarized atmosphere of one of the most contentious U.S. elections in recent history, with the nation watching closely as results unfold.

The government of Equatorial Guinea has imposed new restrictions on WhatsApp, limiting citizens’ ability to download and share multimedia files through mobile data.

This policy follows recent directives for telecommunications operators to control access to “inappropriate content.”

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The measure, however, has led to public frustration, with citizens now relying solely on WiFi for sharing photos, videos, and audio files.

The restrictions come in the wake of a high-profile scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF).

Engonga, 54, is currently under investigation for fraud. During an unexpected search of his home and office, ANIF officials reportedly discovered a collection of more than 400 explicit videos involving Engonga and the wives of various prominent figures.

Among those reportedly involved are relatives of senior officials, including the wife of the Director General of Police, multiple government ministers’ spouses, and even family members of the President of Equatorial Guinea.

The leaked videos have caused a media uproar, with calls for transparency from the government.

Citizens are questioning whether the restrictions on WhatsApp multimedia sharing are part of an effort to prevent the spread of sensitive content related to the scandal.

So far, officials have not commented on the duration of these restrictions or whether they are linked to the ongoing investigation.

The local news platform Ahora EG has reported widespread frustration over the restrictions, quoting anonymous sources expressing concern about the impact on essential communication.

“Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few?” one source asked. “This measure interferes with work and educational activities for thousands who rely on WhatsApp, and it feels more like a move to control than to facilitate communication.”

Critics have also questioned the transparency of the new restriction, with some speculating it may be linked to Vice President Teddy Nguema’s recent announcement of a plan to install surveillance cameras in state offices.

This initiative, he said, is part of a broader government crackdown to reinforce public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.

As frustrations mount, Equatorial Guinea’s citizens are left awaiting clarity on the government’s intentions behind these measures.

With no official statements on how long the restrictions will remain in place, many continue to speculate whether these changes will be temporary or signal a new era of state control over digital communication.