As attention shifts to the student unionism in the University of Ibadan and the aspirants currently jostling for seats in the Kunle Adepeju Building, we believe it is necessary to give well-informed responses to these questions: “What is student politics?” and “Who are the student leaders?” as a deep understanding of these questions will ensure the students do not waste their votes and aspirants should not project blank plans but also make sure all political promises by these aspirants if elected are fulfilled. In simple terms, student politics is the representation of students’ interests at the central administrative body by certain elected students for a fixed period of time. By implication, student leaders are certain elected students who advocate for students’ interests with the central school administration.
As the Student’s Union begin to lose relevance over the years and the disappointment students fail when their leader cannot effectively drive home their demands, it is not hasty when we say the SU in the University of Ibadan lies in a moribund. Another factor that contributed to the above is the lack of relevant information about the student politics which has weakened the accountability of elected leaders and their decision-making. As the elections draw closer, dear students, have you finally resolved to vote merit over emotions? The bitter truth is that as we chide SU leaders for being docile, for not conveying that Aluta must continua, the huge chunk of the blame lies on the students who ditched intellectualism in electing their leaders.
It is not gainsaying the fact that many political broadcasts on WhatsApp and several posters on campus have been flying around. Aspirants show interest, they want to lure popularity to them in order to secure the mandate to rule. Th students watch on. They observe the aspirants. They are interested in them. They follow them blindly. The tensions are high already, so are the stakes. In all of these, the political aspirants have one single responsibility- convincing us to vote them in. Consequently, promises have been made- those capable of being fulfilled and the otherwise. Just like their predecessors, they have said that they would ensure students would be treated justly—a chief weapon (or shall we say tactics) of ensuring the students support them. They have said that a seat at the table is half the job of a student representative and they won’t be afraid to put the pressure on the university body to get the best outcome for students. Just like their forerunners, they promise. But where will all these promises be fulfilled?
Moreover, while it is deplorable that student unionism is not well structured in Unibadan, it is also a trite truth that these student leaders’ decision-making experiences have longer-term implications. Indeed, the existence of student governance and the election of student leaders is an essential component of a “democratic school”. These leaders make a lot of decisions on the students’ affairs. They are the people who advocate on behalf of all of us. They are the voice of the students.
Even though the so called “paternalism” which exists between the school body and students and the unequal possession of power between them are obstacles to achieving the true essence of student politics, we should also not turn a blind eye to the rather domicile nature these our leaders possess which is contrary to the powerful and strong spirit that fly around during the campaign period. What triggers the displeasure of students is always the failure of these leaders to remember the promises they gave and the support the students give them to speak on their behalf and represent their cause.
We have been exposed to what the University’s Student Union does, the decisions they make and how it affects us all. Now is not the time to allow them appeal to our emotions or pity. We should also never allow emotion erodes our sensibility as we determine how the next year will be for the student populace. The best way we can do moving forward is to ensure we stay on track and the election should be decided by substance rather than flashes of promises and freebies gotten during campaign period. So, when next they chant ‘of the greatest Uites, ask them ‘what they can do for us’. The questions we ask them expose us to their logic, which ultimately should decide whether or not we would cast how votes for them,
In conclusion, dear students, do more than just responding to their chants, instead find out about them, know them, ask them questions, assess them and then put them in if they are at least good enough. Despite everything that have been said, there’s a need for students to participate in the elections. All hopes should not be lost in the SU because it will only take collectively to resuscitate students’ unionism on campus. To the aspirants, one question still needs to be answered: “What will you do differently?
