From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu has been called to summon the West African Examination Council, WAEC to explain why results meant for Ebonyi students were still in its custody.
The Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Comrade Chinedu Ogah made the call yesterday in a statement.
The Ebonyi Federal Lawmaker also threatened to sue the West African Examination Council, WAEC, over the seizure of the results belonging to the indigenes of Ebonyi State.
He noted that the non-release of the results to the affected students would not only hinder them (students) from gaining admission into tertiary institutions but also pave way for an increase in social vices among the youths in the State.
The House of Representatives members further argued that the development was meant to extort Ebonyi People of their hard-earned resources and encourage marginalization of the State from the scheme of things at the Federal level.
Ogah however, gave WAEC one week ultimatum to release the said results or face the full weight of the law.
"This is rather unfortunate and disturbing that the results of Ebonyi indigenes will be seized by WAEC. This is an act of marginalization and an attempt to defraud Ebonyi People for their hard-earned resources.
"The WAEC examination was monitored by security Agencies and if the affected students violated the law or committed any crime in the course of the examination, they would have been spotted by security agents on duty.
"We are giving WAEC one week to release the results of Ebonyi indigenes or we will sue them to court. In furtherance that also, I am going to prevent a petition on the floor of the National Assembly concerning this matter.
"I want to urge the Minister of Education to summon WAEC to answer to this development. There is no need for WAEC to withhold the results of these students when they were not caught engaging in any examination malpractice.
"Other examination bodies that conducted similar examinations have released their results; why should WAEC withhold that of Ebonyi indigenes? This is unacceptable and we will not fold our arms and watch any Institution jeopardize the future of Ebonyi youths," the lawmaker said.
