The South East Senate Caucus has raised strong concerns over what it described as a “curious and highly suspicious” technical glitch that marred the recent Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination in some centres in Lagos and, more alarmingly, across the entire South East region.
In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Chairman of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressed fears that the incident could be part of a narrow agenda aimed at deliberately shortchanging students from the region.
“It would be disheartening and we hope never to contemplate such a conspiracy theory that there is a targeted effort to harm the future of our children,” Abaribe stated.
While the caucus acknowledged JAMB’s efforts to rectify the situation through rescheduled exams and public apologies, it maintained that any reoccurrence would be totally unacceptable.
Senator Abaribe commended the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, for his open admission of fault and emotional apology. However, he warned that such public display of penitence should not be a cover for a deeper, more sinister motive.
“The glitch, suspicious as it was, has the potential to erode public confidence and damage national pride among the next generation,” the caucus stated. “The entire education system must be protected from political manipulation or regional bias.”
The lawmakers further urged JAMB and other relevant education authorities to urgently address the situation and offer a clear explanation to assuage the growing fears and frustration in the South East, especially among affected students.
“Education is the bedrock of any society’s development. Every Nigerian child is entitled to equal access without discrimination. We must never play roulette with the future of our children,” Abaribe declared.
The South East Senate Caucus concluded by demanding firm assurances that such a “scandalous glitch” will never occur again, affirmed that they remain vigilant in defending the educational rights of their constituents.
