I have searched for answers, I have asked questions, and I have tried making sense of what I have both heard and seen. But it seems the more I dig, the more elusive situation gets. The University of Lagos' restoration of its students' union; the election that produced its first president since 2005; and the subsequent election which up till now, raised unanswered questions have all come together to inspire this piece.
It was glaring to the very politically conscious few within the educational milieu, that the University of Lagos Students' Union elections which was held on the 22nd of September this year, was one which raised a lot of eye brows and apprehension.
Prior to the election, a lot of students harbored reservations; latent, though it seemed. So it was no surprise that it later translated into the present harsh realities - the noted irregularities at the election.
It was the school's policy that no candidate must have or have had a carryover in any course prior to and in the course of contesting for any ULSU post. In the spirit of upholding this principle, some candidates were disqualified. But claims lingered that some were not disqualified as the policy demands.
We had waited patiently for every possible anomaly to be rectified or for some explanations to be given. But non was forthcoming and our patience was depleting. This is surely an unfinished business and the school management owes its students undiluted answers.
Yes, the school management sponsored and conducted the elections. This is unquestionably right, owing to the fact that The Union is still in its infancy. What we seek to understand is: Why were records of culpable students not made public even on popular demand, before, during and after the election? Why did one of the aspirant, indeed, the one that went on to win the election, withdraw from the debate organized by the Academic Staff Union of Universities? Why must we (the students) always play the thespians and act the fool? Why must we be at the receiving end of its tactile strokes of deception, damaging delirium and such other shenanigans as it sees fit to inflict on our intelligence?
Such was the management's predisposition to artifice that we can brazenly say it had constituted a ghost committee to oversee the reported irregularities that trailed the election.
One aspirant said it was a case of sour grapes, according to him, "Every quarter in the University of Lagos is satisfied with the results...In every election there will always be winners and losers" This statement obviously tells you who he is.
Another aspirant thinks quite the opposite. He said it was all a big conspiracy. "Although, now we have the feelers that they are in cahoots and the silence from them is a conspiracy, because they are already contemplating date for inauguration, which is laughable" Most likely, you know where he's speaking from.
Indeed, a date had been fixed for the inauguration of the new executives. But unlike the young man above, I do not think it is a laughing matter. We demand that the school management come clean, or forfeit all claims to openness and transparency. 9th of December is the date; the robbers and the robbed awaits.
It was glaring to the very politically conscious few within the educational milieu, that the University of Lagos Students' Union elections which was held on the 22nd of September this year, was one which raised a lot of eye brows and apprehension.
Prior to the election, a lot of students harbored reservations; latent, though it seemed. So it was no surprise that it later translated into the present harsh realities - the noted irregularities at the election.
It was the school's policy that no candidate must have or have had a carryover in any course prior to and in the course of contesting for any ULSU post. In the spirit of upholding this principle, some candidates were disqualified. But claims lingered that some were not disqualified as the policy demands.
We had waited patiently for every possible anomaly to be rectified or for some explanations to be given. But non was forthcoming and our patience was depleting. This is surely an unfinished business and the school management owes its students undiluted answers.
Yes, the school management sponsored and conducted the elections. This is unquestionably right, owing to the fact that The Union is still in its infancy. What we seek to understand is: Why were records of culpable students not made public even on popular demand, before, during and after the election? Why did one of the aspirant, indeed, the one that went on to win the election, withdraw from the debate organized by the Academic Staff Union of Universities? Why must we (the students) always play the thespians and act the fool? Why must we be at the receiving end of its tactile strokes of deception, damaging delirium and such other shenanigans as it sees fit to inflict on our intelligence?
Such was the management's predisposition to artifice that we can brazenly say it had constituted a ghost committee to oversee the reported irregularities that trailed the election.
One aspirant said it was a case of sour grapes, according to him, "Every quarter in the University of Lagos is satisfied with the results...In every election there will always be winners and losers" This statement obviously tells you who he is.
Another aspirant thinks quite the opposite. He said it was all a big conspiracy. "Although, now we have the feelers that they are in cahoots and the silence from them is a conspiracy, because they are already contemplating date for inauguration, which is laughable" Most likely, you know where he's speaking from.
Indeed, a date had been fixed for the inauguration of the new executives. But unlike the young man above, I do not think it is a laughing matter. We demand that the school management come clean, or forfeit all claims to openness and transparency. 9th of December is the date; the robbers and the robbed awaits.
