Unionism in Nigeria has always concerned itself with the Mantra of the 3Cs: Consultation, Consolidation and Confrontation. Conflicts of interests, incompatible goals and targets between the management and the students are the factors for these mantras. In order to reduce the possibilities of these differences degenerating into conflict, both the union and management consult, consolidate and confront each other whilst upholding their interests.
The Students’ Union consult their electorates (students) as other indirect democracies do as power resides in the people either through their elected Students Representatives Council or congresses, with the last Congress held on May 27, 2017. Congress, which is the highest decision making body of the Union, has been stripped off this role as it is not being called upon despite the various problems affecting the University community that warranted the constitution of the Congress in the first place. However, the recent pandemic and other reasons best known to the students leaders have affected the functionality of the congress.
Après 1400 days of the last Congress, the power of Consultation as well as the power of congress was exhibited on this day. ‘Uites’ were made to believed that, prior to overturning of Congress’ verdict, another Congress must be held, as well as the importance of public opinion which opted for protest on the Democracy day of 2017 before the proscription of the Union.
With the way public opinion and consultation were being held on the University campus, a comparative analysis have shown how poor the consultation of the Union has reduced since its reinstatement. Several issues that warranted the need for Congress and other consultation mechanisms are still among the lingering issues affecting the students. They include: Expired I.D cards, protection and safety off-campus, increment in school fees among others. Funnily, the leaders deemed it fit to consult the students after failure of various diplomatic approaches.
For this present administration of the Student Union, obtainable are interest in diplomacy in its confrontation and the fight for students course, WhatsApp interactions for political consultations and conducts of polls and students opinions amongst others. The defect associated with this consultation is that it yields no return for the students as they are either too diplomatic in their approach of conducts of public opinions or have silenced their voice and become puppies of the school administration.
Conception of people on the performance of the present administration shows how bad the students’ welfare is considered. Various consultation and polls being conducted during the increase of the technology fees, different broadcasts, flyers and graphics for the simulated protests show the union can’t make a difference. Even reduction of N1 from the increased fee, would have shown how well the union works for the betterment of Student’s welfare, how well the union is fierce for the attainment of its goals and how the management of the University rates the union and its leaders. Rather, polls conducted show the otherwise of our expectations.
However, diplomacy and peaceful consultation bring peaceful coexistence within the university community as well as averting various conflicts which do ensue because of irreconcilable differences between the management and the student union, just like the Yoruba adage “the management won’t measure it full and the students won’t take it half.” So, the present administration tends to be the bridge and every issue that would have degenerated into conflict is resolved diplomatically just like the USA handling of the Cuban missile crisis.
STUDENTS’ ROLE
Like the frustration and aggression theory of conflicts identified that ‘When citizens expect so much from the state , their expectations is not met, this can lead to aggression’, thousands of Uites that elected the present administration into the Kunle Adepeju building also hold the belief and notion that this administration will do anything for the uplifting of the students’ cause and suffering. Still, they hope that change would happen.
We, the students, want proactive response to any pressing issues affecting the student community. Nevertheless, from the Anglo Defense pact crisis to Ali Must Go, students need to be taught on how to balance the three mantra while advocating their visions and missions. Power of the Congress must not be abused and we must not put pressure on the Students’ leaders. Consultation just have to be followed by Consolidation. We should also set only realistic targets for the students leaders in order for them not to lose their credibility while pursuing unanimous goals and ensuring they don’t shy away from their responsibilities.
Let’s remember that an administration is successful if it champions the cause of its citizens and entrusted legitimacy should be paid with struggles for bettered society for the students.
May God bless the union.
CASSIUS Writes.
