By: IndyPress News Desk
Students have expressed mixed reactions about the state of stillness that have characterized the ongoing second semester and the electoral processes that would usher in a new leadership at the level of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union.
At the time of filing this report, there has been no official communication between an Electoral Commission, allegedly constituted, and the student community.
The Students’ Representative Council, which also has the mandate of formulating policies of the Students’ Union, has remained mute about holding elections.
What the UI’SU Constitution Says
Article X of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union addresses the event of election.
Election, the constitution says, should be held not later than 30 days after resumption in a new session.
This provision of the UI’SU constitution has at no point been the order through which union leaders have emerged since 2019, when the Union was reinstated.
Recall that the UI’SU electoral process which brought the incumbent leadership of the Students’ Union began in March 2024 – in second semester of the 2022/2023 academic session.
To give coordination to the activities of the election, Article XI of the UI’SU constitution stated that “Union election shall be conducted by an Electoral Commission constituted for election purposes.”
“The Electoral Commission shall consist of the following: Chairman, who will be Deputy Registrar (Students) [a non-student or University staff]; One Representative from each Hall of Residence; and One Representative from each Faculty,” the other part of the Article reads.
With such an arrangement, the Commission is vested with the responsibility to draw up electoral regulations and guidelines, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and other relevant rules and regulations of the University.
“Such rules and regulations shall be published at least 14 days before the date of election,” Article XII reads.
“(ii)It shall screen all aspirants, have the powers to clear or reject the candidature of any aspirant and make clear, the basis for its decision either way. (iii) Shall listen to complaints arising from electoral petitions before the conduct of any election. (iv) There shall be an Electoral Petition Tribunal set up by the Vice-Chancellor and with the Dean of Students as chairman. Any complaints after the election shall be referred to the Electoral Petition Tribunal for arbitration. All electoral petitions shall be heard and determined within 14 days of the election for the post in question,” the other part of the provision reads.
Other than a news spotlighting the formation of the electoral commission by IndyPress on 10th January, 2025, no official correspondence has been made communicated.
IndyPress contacted the Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council but did not get a response at the time of filing this report.
The Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union, Olumide Omotayo, told IndyPress that he was aware that an Electoral Commission had been formed.
“I’m aware that the UI’SUEC has been set up, I know of the logistic Chairman and the Publicity Head,” he said.
An official inquiry letter sent by IndyPress to know the true state of the election, on Monday, to the office of the Deputy Registrar is yet to be responded to, IndyPress reports.
Students Decry UI’SU 2025 Election Stillness
Samuel Oluwadamilare, a student from the Faculty of Social Sciences decried the quietness, noting that such ‘delay tactics’ would disallow effective engagement by the students populace.
“The grave silence from the Management regarding the electoral process is not good at all. The fact that we now run an eleven week academic calendar should prompt the electioneering process of the Students Union of the University of Ibadan. This delay will affect the choice of leadership of the students populace. It gives no room for thorough scrutiny of candidates,” Samuel said.
Another student who pleaded anonymity dispraised the delay, describing it as a broader reflection of the state of the Students’ Union.
“It is unimaginable that we have not had concrete information about the election. They want us to elect good UI’SU leaders by magic. That is actually what happens when the process of the election is not managed by the student community itself,” the student told IndyPress.
Ola Samuel from the Faculty of Arts held the view that the delay weakens the trust of the students and the Union’s ability to function effectively.
“From the ground upward, the fact that the Deputy Registrar (Students) serves as the chairman of the electoral commission, as stated in Article XI (ii) of the constitution is a pointer to the In-dependence of the student union’s electoral process. While this arrangement may have few logical reasons, a rational evaluation will further highlight the blurred lines in the heavy involvement of the university management in a supposedly student-led body compromising the autonomy and credibility of the union.
This delay in starting the union elections is even more concerning. As it denies students the chance to elect their leaders and even weakens the little trust in the ability of the union to function effectively. These delays can cause more frustration among the already frustrated and marginalized students community, and reduce the impact of the union on addressing their needs against the next academic session. I really hope electoral activities commence in time,” Ola Samuel said.
