Reps Issue 24-hr Ultimatum For WAEC To Appear Over Exam Irregularities

The House of Representatives has given the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) a 24-hour ultimatum to appear before it over concerns raised on the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies, Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, issued the ultimatum on Thursday following WAEC’s failure to honour its earlier invitation to appear before the panel.

Oforji said the committee had invited WAEC to provide explanations over widespread complaints and irregularities observed during the ongoing examinations.

The lawmaker noted that the committee extended an invitation to WAEC on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, seeking clarification on various issues disrupting the conduct of the exams across the country.

He expressed disappointment at WAEC’s absence during the scheduled hearing on Thursday, May 29, describing it as unacceptable given the scale of public outcry over the conduct of the exams.

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“The examination has been riddled with serious irregularities. We’ve received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country.

“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 said.

He emphasised that the committee expected 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.

“Something is clearly wrong, and it must be addressed. The Committee has therefore resolved that WAEC must appear unfailingly on Friday, May 30, 2025, or face legislative sanctions in accordance with the powers vested in us by the Constitution,” Oforji added.