Senate's "Cock- eyed Provision On Electoral Transmission" Insult On Nigerians, Oby Ezekwesili
Former Minister of Education and public accountability advocate, Oby Ezekwesili, has described the "Cock- eyed proviso on the electronic transmission of election results by the Senate on Tuesday as an insult to the collective intelligence of Nigerians.
By Ikeddy Mamah
Former Minister of Education and public accountability advocate, Oby Ezekwesili, has described the "Cock- eyed proviso on the electronic transmission of election results by the Senate on Tuesday as an insult to the collective intelligence of Nigerians.
Ezekwesili warned that the Senate's new provision could be exploited to manipulate future elections, particularly the 2027 general polls.
She spoke in a series of posts on her X handle, shortly after the Senate plenary.
According to her, the lawmakers were effectively signalling that votes may not matter if the clause is abused, pointing out that, in a functioning democracy, the Elected can NEVER be greater than the Collective Will of those who elected them.
The former minister further wondered whether the Senate leadership, under Senate President Godswill Akpabio, fully understood the growing public distrust and frustration over electoral transparency or credibility and governance.
She also, noted that the Senate was trying to weaken the collective Will of voters through what she described as legislative loopholes, pointing out that elected leaders or Senators must be accountable to Nigerians instead of placing themselves above the electorate.
Her words, “That cock-eyed provision on Electoral Transmission that the @NGRSenate just passed is an insult on the collective intelligence of Nigerians.
“In a functioning democracy, the elected can NEVER be greater than the collective will of those who elected them.
“The Senate President and his collaborators are brazenly giving Nigerians a heads-up that our votes will not count because that vexing clause they passed is their loophole to rig the 2027 elections.
“The real-time question is whether the Akpabio-led Senate is ready for Nigerians who have run out of patience with their shenanigans.
“The answer is in the hands of the senators. It is not wise to play with fire. Transparency is always better.”
Ezekwesili then urged lawmakers to act responsibly and prioritise transparency, not only to prevent unrest but to restore public trust.
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