Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, don strongly criticise di Senate over di way dem handle di Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, warn say di lawmakers dey take decisions wey fit further anger Nigerians and weaken democracy.
Ezekwesili talk dis one on Friday during interview for Arise Television Morning Show, just two days after di Senate pass di Electoral Bill 2026 after long hours of debate.
Though di Senate approve some changes on election timelines, penalties for electoral offences and use of voting technology, dem reject proposal wey wan make real-time electronic transmission of election results compulsory.
Reacting, Ezekwesili accuse di political class, especially di Senate, of always taking actions wey dey push Nigerians away.
“Make dem stop dey play with fire. E be like say every morning di political class, especially di Senate, go just ask demself, ‘Wetin we go do today wey go vex Nigerians?’” she talk.
She say Nigerians get every right to dey angry over wetin she describe as excesses and lack of wisdom from senators.
According to am, “Anybody wey think say citizens no suppose vex over di excesses and poor judgment of our senators, I no even know wetin dat person dey read.”
While she stress say nobody suppose incite violence, Ezekwesili say citizens must continue to use dia civic rights and stay alert to defend democracy.
“Nobody want violence, but citizens dey within dia right to stay vigilant. As Thomas Jefferson talk, eternal vigilance na di price wey citizens pay for freedom and liberty,” she add.
Di former minister also warn say lawmakers must no treat Nigeria like dia personal property.
“These senators no fit run Nigeria like say na dia private land. Nigerian democracy belong to di people, e no belong to politicians,” Ezekwesili talk.
Meanwhile, di Senate decision to reject real-time electronic transmission of results continue to draw criticism from civil society groups and political observers. Many argue say electronic transmission na key to transparency and rebuilding public trust in elections, especially after di controversies wey follow di 2023 general elections.
