How social media users are reacting to PAC Chairman, DVLA CEO clash in Parliament

The tense exchanges that erupted during the Tuesday, October 27, 2025, sitting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), when the Chairperson, Abena Osei-Asare, confronted the Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, over details of the authority’s proposed digital number plate system, has generated varied reactions on social media.

The disagreements arose during discussions on the DVLA’s plan to digitise personal vehicle data through new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-enabled number plates, which is part of efforts to strengthen security and curb vehicle-related crimes.

‘What are you telling me?’ – Watch as Abena Osei Asare loses cool on DVLA boss at PAC sitting

Explaining the initiative, Kotey told the committee that the digital number plates would include RFID chips “to make them very difficult for external entities to tamper with or replicate.”

However, PAC Chair Abena Osei-Asare sought clarity on the scope of data to be embedded, particularly whether the plates would bear vehicle owners’ surnames.

“I'm asking you a specific question. Is it going to have the user's surname on the number plates?” she asked.

In response, the DVLA CEO initially stated, “We don't put names on number plates… I was wondering why that question. Sorry, but we don't put names on number plates.”

The DVLA CEO’s answer, however, appeared to frustrate the PAC Chair, who interjected sharply, stating, “What are you telling me? People pay to have their names on number plates and you sit here as the DVLA boss and tell me you don't put numbers on number plates…”.

Osei-Asare’s outburst has sparked differing opinions, with some users on X criticising her approach.

The critics argue that she should have given the DVLA boss the opportunity to properly explain the customisation of number plates to her, as they believe she misunderstood the entire thing.

LIVESTREAMED: Public Accounts Committee sitting for August 20

Others, on the other hand, shared a different view, stating that the exchange between the two personalities was fair. They assert that the DVLA boss could have prevented the entire situation from escalating by clearly providing the necessary details, and that the PAC Chairperson’s conduct was appropriate.

On the side of the DVLA CEO, netizens have commended him for maintaining a calm demeanor in the heat of the moment.

Read some of the posts below:

the DVLA boss should’ve explained the RFID security details to her. She was asking unnecessary question and it doesn’t relate to the topic. Let’s be SERIOUS! https://t.co/vxGfTv0AgD

— EL-DAD (@ChristDeKing) October 27, 2025

Maybe, Hon. Abena Osei Asare have personal scores to settle with Julius Neequay, DVLA CEO. She should have mentioned customised number plates. Unnecessary barking, same attitude which took them to opposition. The same woman who prevented Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah from answering… pic.twitter.com/QIDI129uGx

— Aristotlektv (@aristotledada) October 27, 2025

Abena goofed.

When the DVLA boss wanted to explain she refused knowing very well she’s displaying ignorance.

After that, she should enter her constituency and use the same anger on the galamseyers. https://t.co/r2dvisYBX3

— Mr. Doe🇬🇭 (@nana_pytha1) October 27, 2025

Abena clearly misunderstood the DVLA boss. The RFID feature is for police identification, not public display. Customized names don’t affect the security features, so her anger is misplaced 🤦🤦🤦 https://t.co/wXUrfPdf20

— 𝑳𝑶𝑵𝑮 𝑳𝒀𝑭 🇬🇭 (@LongLyf2) October 27, 2025

"A very fair exchange if you ask me. My brother, the DVLA boss could have avoided the back and forth. We need the fire the current Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee brings tto these hearings. And so far she is doing well. May the committee be able to recoup lost sums… pic.twitter.com/RW1kq45cDE

— Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) October 28, 2025

And this is why eloquence is needed in public office.

I don’t think the DVLA boss should’ve withdrawn. It was a tad ridiculous to ask if as standard procedure folks’ names are displayed in licence plates. And she rather acts incredulous?!

Clearly playing to the gallery.

— Dela Dela Tamakloe (@KelDel07) October 27, 2025

Her tone was not warranted. Names on number plates are not the standard practice. And that’s what the DVLA boss was alluding to. To call him a liar and berate him was completely uncalled for. I’m all for grilling these public servants because sometimes they are clueless

— Nana Kwasi (@johnstoni) October 27, 2025

“You don’t expect me to ask you that question? Are you not the DVLA boss?” Hon. Abena Osei Asare clashes with DVLA boss at Public Accounts Committee hearing today. Hon. Abena is a whole ORAL institution o herh. B33ma ay3 l33m awww Kafra Mr. Julius Neequaye Kotey 🤦‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/3aRjMwsJb7

— CHARLOTTE NICOLE 🕊 (@charllycolegh) October 27, 2025

After watching the DVLA bosses encounter with Abena I can see why NPP will spend 30 years in opposition

— TeiQo II 🕯️ (@JayBLARQ) October 27, 2025

The DVLA boss is not eloquent and allowed himself get bullied. Being assertive isn’t about shouting and refusing to allow the person you are in a discourse with to explain his side. Even comparing a whole man to a baby, come this wasn’t a grilling. It was a distasteful exchange. https://t.co/ErdbSC0O9a

— Senyo (@kriticalstorm) October 27, 2025

Even after he retracted the statement this woman kept on fuming

Big ups to the DVLA BOSS for keeping his calm

— RSL💰 (@rashshotlawal) October 27, 2025

Chairperson is confusing two things.

1. It's not DVLA duty to protect your personal if you give consent to specialized number plates.

2. DVLA Boss also failed to explain what goes into RFID on the new plates https://t.co/wStLP7ltXc

— General Polipo (@Kojo_Etihad) October 27, 2025

The MP's insistence that names would be included on number plates stems from her lack of grasp of how Radio Frequency Identification Tags (RFID) work. The DVLA Boss’ response was misconstrued; RFID tags are embedded within the plates and store digital registration information,… https://t.co/DoQKjonXKg

— Godwin Jeffery Ackah (@_GodwinJeffery) October 27, 2025