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| Ezekwesili Warns Senate Over Electoral Act |
Former education minister Oby Ezekwesili has sharply criticised the Senate over how it handled the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, cautioning that the lawmakers’ decisions could further inflame public anger and undermine the country’s democratic system.
She made the remarks during a televised interview aired on Friday, shortly after the Senate passed the amended electoral bill following extended debates. While lawmakers approved changes covering election timelines, sanctions for electoral offences, and the deployment of voting technology, they declined to adopt a proposal that would have required the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili reacted by accusing the political class—particularly members of the Senate—of repeatedly taking actions that distance citizens from governance and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
She warned lawmakers to “stop playing with fire,” arguing that many legislative decisions appear calculated to provoke public outrage. According to her, widespread frustration among Nigerians is understandable given what she described as persistent poor judgment and excesses by elected officials.
Ezekwesili maintained that expecting citizens to remain passive in the face of such outcomes ignores the core principles of democratic accountability. She stressed that public criticism and engagement are legitimate responses when governance falls short of citizens’ expectations.
While making it clear that she does not support violence or incitement, she emphasised that democracy requires constant vigilance from the public. She noted that freedom and liberty can only be sustained through active civic participation and oversight.
She also cautioned lawmakers against behaving as though political authority is a personal entitlement, insisting that power ultimately rests with the people.
According to her, Nigeria cannot be governed as a private preserve of politicians, adding that democratic authority belongs to citizens, not elected officeholders.
Ezekwesili reacted by accusing the political class—particularly members of the Senate—of repeatedly taking actions that distance citizens from governance and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
She warned lawmakers to “stop playing with fire,” arguing that many legislative decisions appear calculated to provoke public outrage. According to her, widespread frustration among Nigerians is understandable given what she described as persistent poor judgment and excesses by elected officials.
Ezekwesili maintained that expecting citizens to remain passive in the face of such outcomes ignores the core principles of democratic accountability. She stressed that public criticism and engagement are legitimate responses when governance falls short of citizens’ expectations.
While making it clear that she does not support violence or incitement, she emphasised that democracy requires constant vigilance from the public. She noted that freedom and liberty can only be sustained through active civic participation and oversight.
She also cautioned lawmakers against behaving as though political authority is a personal entitlement, insisting that power ultimately rests with the people.
According to her, Nigeria cannot be governed as a private preserve of politicians, adding that democratic authority belongs to citizens, not elected officeholders.
