2027: Ezekwesili tasks politicians on transparency, accountability

Former Vice President of the World Bank, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has urged Nigerian politicians to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions in their quest for power ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, the two-time Nigerian minister also called on political actors to ensure electoral transparency, noting that this is what the people, to whom power belongs, are demanding.

The Amazon was referring to what she described as a constitutional coup by the All Progressives Congress-dominated National Assembly, which passed an unpopular electoral bill amid protests by stakeholders.

The federal legislature also deployed tear gas-toting security operatives against peaceful protesters at the National Assembly complex.

President Bola Tinubu signed the bill within 24 hours of its passage, a move that has drawn criticism from some observers over the speed of the assent.

Ezekwesili said, “They would have to bear responsibility for whatever happens in this country in the lead-up to the 2027 election. They would have to be responsible for how the citizens respond to this clear vexation and provocation of the citizens of this country, who are asking for a simple thing. They are simply saying we want electoral transparency. That is all they are asking for.

“Then they have leaders who are saying we do not care about your demand for transparency. We prefer the dark ways. We prefer ambiguities. We prefer opacity in the way elections are conducted because we really do not care about your power as citizens to be the ones who vote and give legitimacy to us being in public office.”

According to her, it is not yet Uhuru, as the journey has just begun, urging citizens to remain vigilant ahead of the struggle.

She added, “So there is a journey that is yet ahead of us. It is not over until it is over.”