In Genesis 3:9, God asked Adam, “Where are you?”. This question came after a fallout in the Garden of Eden. Today, students at the University of Ibadan find themselves asking a similar question. Where is Covenant Odedele, the Students’ Union President, at a time when his leadership is most needed?

According to the University of Ibadan Students’ Union constitution, the Union exists to protect and promote the interests of its members, the students. Actions or inactions that disregard these interests not only undermines the purpose of the Union but also breaches its constitution.

“I will be a responsive President who will be ready to face the day-to-day welfare challenges of students.” This was the promise Covenant Odedele made to the student community as a presidential candidate during the UCJ Watch Room interview. But now, his words speak louder than his actions. Unfortunately, not in the students’ favor. They seem to echo a betrayal of the social contract forged when students entrusted him with their collective voice.

One pressing issue facing students at the University of Ibadan is the persistent hike in fees. This concerning trend stretches back to the tenures of past Union Presidents like Akeju, Mascot, Host, and Aweda Bolaji. These previous leaders failed to genuinely address the issue in their times, just as it seems Covenant is treading the same path.

It is unfortunate that Covenant Odedele is beginning to write his legacy of misrepresenting the student body on matters of fee increments and other neglected concerns. His failure tripped when he unilaterally cancelled a Congress ratified by the 12th Assembly, even though its core purpose was to address fee-related grievances.

Even after the Assembly ratified the Congress again, Covenant cancelled it a second time, citing failure to meet the required 500-student quorum. Despite that over 200 signatures had already been gathered that day. Instead of mobilizing students for the Congress, Covenant, along with other members of the Students’ Union Executive Committee and the 12th Assembly under the leadership of Shoge Quadri, treated the issue with indifference. Despite being directed by the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) at its third emergency sitting, to release a memorandum ahead of the May 17 Congress, the Union issued an unletterheaded release as late as 8 a.m. the following day. This should be an addition to the queries that Covenant Odedele should be made to answer.

This betrayal of student trust has bred fear, hopelessness, and disillusionment. For many Uites, being on campus is a daily struggle. Some female students now resort to selling their organs (eggs) just to make ends meet. Others take on menial jobs, sometimes at the expense of their academics, just to afford their fees. Those who believed in public education as a path to a better future are now grappling with its marketization.

If Covenant has forgotten what students went through last session, he must be reminded. It is no doubt a fact that he has no background in student struggles activities. The 2023/2024 academic session was full of essential dramas. Fee hikes forced many students into undignified crowdfunding campaigns to meet deadlines after a three-week unsolicited break imposed by the university. While some students returned with their fees paid, others had no choice but to defer their admissions. The only intervention by the Students’ Union under Aweda Bolaji was a bursary disbursement to 41 students, covering only their ₦20,000 utility fee. To claim this was an adequate response would be both illogical and insincere.

In the face of all this, Covenant has remained silent. The student community yearns for a President who will boldly advocate for them, unafraid of repression from the university management. A President who restores hope and shields students from unjust educational policies. Covenant must rise to this responsibility, or resign.

Covenant should take a cue from student leaders like Onwabile Lubhelwana of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, who stood with students during the “Fees Must Fall” movement, which led to free education for the poor. Or George Iwilade Afrika, the late OAU Students’ Union General Secretary who fearlessly fought cultism and whose memory is still honored. Though he was tragically murdered during the July 10, 1999 cult attack, he remains a symbol of courage, just like Kunle Adepeju.

Even Ojo Aderemi, suspended for four semesters for convening a Congress over delayed student ID cards, is still remembered and respected at the University of Ibadan. These leaders proved that standing with students even in the face of adversity creates an everlasting legacy. Covenant must follow their path.

The office of the Students’ Union President is not a title of comfort. It is a seat of responsibility. If Covenant cannot represent and protect over 33,000 students, he should honorably resign. After all, no one forced him to run for the presidency.

The student community is not asking for too much. They seek adequate representation. With the June 6 school fee deadline approaching, we ask, Where is Covenant? For the more than thirteen students he advised to defer their admission, where is Covenant? For students facing accommodation issues till now, where is Covenant? For lectures not yet in full swing, where is Covenant? For the ongoing electricity rationing, where is Covenant? And for the three students still facing disciplinary action for peacefully protesting against fee hikes on May 13, where is Covenant?

The Students’ Union President has been absent for too long. It is either time to fail students once again or stand with them.

Also, the Students’ Representative Council must prevail on the Executive Committee to reconvene the Congress. This time, students should be well mobilized for the congress. There are more reasons to call a Congress than to not. The mass of students on campus, as well as the different members of the 12th Assembly, should make a convergence for a Congress a necessity.