By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has given the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, a 24-hour ultimatum to appear before it or face sanctions.
The committee directed that WEAC must appear unfailingly before it today being May 30 to address concerns surrounding the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE.
Chairman of the committee, Oboku Oforji handed down the ultimatum yesterday, following the examination body’s failure to honour earlier invitations to appear before the panel.
According to the committee, WAEC had been invited to provide explanations over widespread complaints and irregularities observed during the ongoing examinations.
In a statement yesterday, Oforji recalled that the committee extended an invitation to WAEC on Tuesday, May 27, seeking clarification on various issues disrupting the conduct of the examination across the country.
He expressed disappointment at WAEC’s absence during the scheduled hearing yesterday, describing it as unacceptable given the scale of public outcry over the conduct of the exams.
“The examinations have been riddled with serious irregularities. We’ve received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country,” the chairman stated.
He continued: “The House felt it necessary to summon WAEC to explain these developments and the trauma candidates are currently facing. However, WAEC responded this morning, saying they couldn’t appear due to their involvement in the ongoing exams. Ironically, this is the very reason we are asking them to appear.”
Oforji emphasized that the committee expects WAEC to appear before it on Friday, warning that failure to do so would compel the lawmakers to invoke the constitutional powers of the House to ensure compliance.
“Our intention is not to witch-hunt WAEC but to seek answers that will calm public tension and prevent a recurrence of these challenges. WAEC has been conducting exams for decades, and we have never experienced this level of disorganisation.”
