By: Ayeye Toluwalope
The Independence Hall L and D has on 6th December 2024 released a memo calling for the reverse of a supposed injustice which occured on the 5th December 2024, at the Hall Quarter finals if the jaw war rise of legend.
Recall that during said quarter finals,The Great Independence hall L And D society had faced of with Idia hall L And D, where they both spoke against a motion.
When it was time to announce the winners of each round, the judges did not reveal the aggregate scores of indy hall and idia hall, only stating that idia had qualified for the semi finals while indy was disqualified
In response to this, indy hall L and D made a release on the 6th of December, both narrating what had transpired and also calling that the injustice they perceived to have happened be reversed.
In the statement, the hall’s representatives decried what they termed an “intentional, carefully thought-out attempt to publicly embarrass and disgrace” their representatives.
The problem stemmed from a faulty process of determining debates’ sides. Independence Hall and Idia Hall were told to research and present arguments on the same side of a motion which was unusual. Indy Hall says they were later informed of a correction through a TLDS group message and they did not see it. However, they followed the instructions of TLDS leadership to go as planned as they cited a previous event in the week where Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine faculties engaged in a similar event.
Indy Hall L and D also added that matters deteriorated when Idia Hall L and Supposedly laid down terms to continue with, including reducing Indy Hall by 10 marks and making their speakers to start. “These demands were unconstitutional and unprecedented,” the statement read, accusing TLDS President Ogonna Okere of failing to stand for the integrity of the competition by accepting Idia Hall’s terms.
Indy Hall L and D said that it was tiring to rewrite the speeches in less than 24 hours. Although the TLDS President had given assurances that judging was fair, the results were not released. “it was clear to all and sundry that we won, considering the aggregate performance of our opponents (which in the spirit of sportsmanship we find unfortunate and do not revel in)” the statement read.
The L and D representatives have urged TLDS Senators, advisors, judges and alumni to address the matter. “an injury to one is an injury to all… we consider tonight the blackest night in the history of UI public speaking,’ the statement said.
