By: Gbayesola Samuel

Despite the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Electoral Commission (SUEC) not being constituted yet and the electoral ban not lifted, some student aspirants have commenced campaigns for the 2025 UI’SU election, IndyPress can report.

As observed by IndyPress, some aspirants, including their supporters, have begun posting campaign fliers on various platforms, including WhatsApp groups and statuses.

Further observation by IndyPress confirmed that some of these aspirants have also engaged in unsolicited campaigning, including act that amounts to the defacement of public spaces within the University, a violation of the University of Ibadan Students’ Information Handbook punishable for one-semester rustication  and the repair of the damage done.

Aspirants engaging in these premature campaigns include Olasunkanmi Alabi, popularly known as Asiwaju, Tifase Oluwatimilehin, running under the slogan “Acumen”, Silver, a candidate running for the Students’ Union Presidency, among others.

What UI’SU Constitution Says

Article XI of the Students’ Union Constitution stipulates that elections “shall be conducted by an Electoral Commission constituted for election purposes.”

The  Electoral Commission is to be chaired by the Deputy Registrar (Students) and include representatives from each Hall of Residence and Faculty within the University.

Article XI also empowers the Students’ Union Electoral Commission (SUEC) to oversee the entire election process, set guidelines, and ensure adherence to constitutional provisions.

Article XII further specifies that electoral regulations must be made public at least 14 days before election day.

According to the Constitution, the SUEC holds the authority to screen, qualify and disqualify  candidates without any external interference.

With some students aspirants commencing campaigns without the Electoral Committee not being constituted and the electoral ban not lifted yet, it raises concerns about the  disregard of these aspirants for the  constitutional due process of the  Union election.

Also, despite the Article X of the Students’ Union Constitution stating that the  Union election must be conducted no later than 30 days after the commencement of the second semester of every academic session, the electoral ban is yet to be lifted, raising concerns about the breach of the Union Constitution.

Meanwhile, electoral bans  have been lifted in some faculties, including the Faculty of Arts, Education, among others.

This recurring precedent  stems from the wrong management of the Union’s electoral process by the Deputy Registrar and the Dean of Students, raising concerns about the Union’s independence.