Election, in any democratic society, is ideally meant to embody fairness, timeliness, inclusivity, and transparency. The body responsible for administering its conduct, often referred to as the electoral commission, ought to be empowered with absolute autonomy to ensure electoral credibility. Pathetically, the reverse has been the case for the University of Ibadan Students’ Union election.

Time and again, the Union election has been known for irregularities which undermine its sanctity. One of the major Achilles’ heels of the election would be the delay in its commencement. Even in this current semester, the precedent persists. Despite the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Constitution stating clearly that the Union electoral activities should commence less than 30 days after the start of the second semester of every academic session, the electoral ban, as of the time of filling this report, has not yet been lifted, raising concerns about violation of the Union Constitution.

The reason for this is not far-fetched. It is because the Union election is often under the overbearing control of the Deputy Registrar (Students). The Union, over time has not been able to exercise  its power  to conduct its election as timely as stipulated in the Union Constitution, raising concerns about its Independence. Worse still, the student leaders, especially members of the Students’ Representative Council, despite being the policy and decision-making organ of the Union, have been silent in the face of this everlasting concern.

More troubling, our electoral process has always been one bereft of transparency. Despite being the electoral commission, the SUEC, which mostly comprises the nominated representatives from faculties and halls of residence, are often restricted from having access to the election results. The election results have always been announced by the Deputy Registrar (Students) without the Electoral Commission, candidate agents and the Press being allowed to verify the election results, raising concerns about its credibility

This, of course, begs several unanswered questions. If faculties can conduct their elections as timely as it should be without seeking any approval from their management, why can’t our Students’ Union? If  electoral commissions of our faculties comprising only the students can conduct their elections with total autonomy, why can’t our Union?

Another anomaly that undermines the sanctity of the electoral process is the apparent disenfranchisement. The University has a student population of over 33000, yet electoral accreditation is limited to less than 11,000 students, excluding many matriculated students from participating. By denying a significant portion of the student community the right to vote, the Union election risks producing student leaders who lack true legitimacy.

Apathy is another major downside that has proven to be inimical to our electoral process. UItes, particularly the postgraduates, have consistently shown little or no interest in the Union elections. Despite being matriculated members of the student body, this community often chooses to remain detached from Union activities. Yet, they are not exempt from the institutional crises affecting the student community. They also bear the burden of the high cost of public education, including tuition and accommodation fees.

Equally troubling is the fact that some candidates have already commenced electoral campaigns while the electoral ban has not been lifted. This has been a long-time precedent at the university, yet it has, over time, not been sanctioned by the past constituted Students’ Union Electoral Commissions.

Aside from engaging in the premature campaigns, some of these candidates have been perpetually defacing the public spaces within the University, raising concerns about the violation of the University of Ibadan Students’ Information Handbook and total disregard for environmental sanctity. This, among other shenanigans, portrays the aspirants that run for the Union positions as unworthy of character and emulation. Yet, the student community, driven by poor sense of judgement,  often makes the wrong choice of electing the unprincipled characters to become their leaders.

It is worth establishing that the student community cannot be exonerated from this recurring trend. Rather than challenging the status quo, it has often maintained mutism in the face of this electoral crisis. The essence of a Students’ Union is to provide a platform where students’ concerns can be addressed and their interests well represented. Yet, the students have failed to take action to assert and reclaim their voice. Meanwhile, they are  often affected by the outcome of the election as the student leaders they  produce  will shape their fate regarding issues such as fee concerns, victimization, campus security, among others.

The Exemplary Precedent that UI’SU 2025 Election Must Set

The need for change cannot be overstated in our electoral process. And this change can only be effected through the critical consciousness of the student community. The minds of the students need to be revolutionised before any electoral revolution can take place.

The most pressing issue that must be addressed is the independence of the Students’ Union election. It is a clear electoral aberration that the Union election is under the unsolicited control of the Deputy Registrar (Students). Equally concerning is the persistent lack of transparency in election results, as the Electoral Commission consisting of the students does not always have access to them. This raises serious doubt about the credibility of the electoral process. Past Electoral Commissions, campus journalists, and candidate agents can all attest to this.

Another critical issue is the delay in the commencement of the Union election. It is counterproductive for our electoral process to commence at a time when students are already preparing for their examinations or may have left campus. According to the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Constitution, the electoral process is expected to commence less than 30 days after the commencement of every second semester of academic session. By delaying the Union election, the University violates both the Union Constitution and the franchise rights of students, leading to voter apathy.

Inclusivity in the electoral process is equally vital. Every student should be accredited to vote. It is unjustifiable that less than 11,000 students are often accredited for Union election in an institution with a student population of over 33,000. This has to come to an end as the student community deserves equal and inclusive participation in their electoral process. It is only by this shall our election be described as free and fair.

Also, the postgraduate students must be actively involved not only in the electoral process but also in the decision-making process of the Union. Their current low participation is too apparent that it does more harm than good to them.

Candidates who have declared, either directly or indirectly, their intent to run for Union positions should face appropriate sanctions. This, if implemented by the Students’ Union Electoral Commission, would eliminate the precedent of premature campaigning and help preserve the integrity of the electoral process.

The Students’ Representative Council, as the policy-making body of the Union, should play a more major role in influencing the timing and conduct of the Union election. The Shoge Quadri-led 12th Assembly should understand that its constitutional responsibilities extend beyond budgetary approval and oversight to addressing issues that affect the welfare of the student community.

Until these concerns are treated with all sense of urgency they deserve, the University of Ibadan Students’ electoral process will continue to fall short of the standards expected of a fair and credible system. All stakeholders, including student leaders and the broader student community must commit to ensuring these changes are realized. Until then, nothing good will come out of our Nazareth.