In a democratic system, a representative democratic system, one of the most important activities is elections. This is because it is through this activity that the essence of Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote from the Gettysburg address is brought forth. Elections offer people the opportunity to make a crucial decision that they would live with till the next election cycle. The consequence, severity, and permanence of the decision made make it very important that enough thought, contemplation, and analysis are carried out before such a decision is made. In all, voting for a person is an important decision that should never be toyed with, no matter the level.
The University of Ibadan’s student community, as a microcosm of the Nigerian democratic system, has now entered its own election cycle. This has been precipitated by the subtle campaigns that are characterised by forceful abbreviations, leadership quotations, hopeful theme words, season greeting messages, and the defacing of buildings. This is altogether not unexpected. It is the second semester of the session, which has been earmarked for such activities.
In fact, even lower cadres of student associations, like some departments and faculties, have begun and even concluded their electioneering process, which is made up of campaigns, screening exercises, press nights, and the manifesto nights before voting action eventually occurs.
On Saturday, 18 January 2025, the Student Union Electoral Commission lifted the ban on electoral activities, which marks the official entry into another election cycle. In consideration of the challenges that the student body of the University of Ibadan has had to face in the soon-to-be-concluded leadership cycle, the decision to be made in this electoral cycle is one that can either make or break the effectiveness, union, and capacity of the student union body.
The responsibility of a successful democratic system falls upon everyone. It falls on the candidates, some of whom will transition to become leaders. It falls on the electorates. It also falls on the press.
Commitment to Responsibility
The Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan (UCJUI), an amalgamation of all local press organisations (LPOs) at the university, has, for 37 years since its formation, championed freedom through the pen. The union, which has grown across various generations, has seen its share of various electoral cycles and takes cognisance of the responsibilities it has to perform in electoral periods.
The Union has not forgotten this responsibility and is currently more committed to playing its role as the fourth estate of the realm in the electoral cycle. Journalism and information dissemination are crucial elements in any system. It has the power to create problems, and it has the power to create solutions. It embodies freedom and can be manipulated to resonate captivity.
UCJUI recognises the volatility of the tool that it holds, and it is hereby assuring that its only objective in the use of this tool is as a means to the end of the electorate and to the electorate alone, which in this case are the students of the University of Ibadan. We understand the importance of the decisions to be made in the next few weeks, so we are dedicating ourselves to providing accurate, objective, and holistic perspectives on the developing political landscape simply to empower the student body to make decisions with the understanding and knowledge of the current scope of things.
One of the basic rules of campus journalism is the concept of apoliticality, and this is a standard we have held ourselves by and will continue to hold ourselves by. Our reporting has followed this standard and will continue to follow this standard in tandem with the ethics of our duties.
Transparency: The Bedrock of Truth
UCJUI’s ever-present commitment to the truth, especially now during this electoral cycle, has prompted an initiative for accurate, holistic, and transparent coverage and reportage of the forthcoming elections and the activities that will come with it.
We have brought together a central watch room that consists of various campus journalists in the university community who will synergise and work together to give a holistic perspective of the forthcoming elections and all student electoral activities that will be happening at the University of Ibadan.
Following the lifting of the ban on electoral activities, there is an expected surge in electioneering, political, and electoral activities, and this initiative will help ensure that the students of the University of Ibadan are well in the know of all that is happening as regards the election.
As upholders of the truth, UCJUI finds it imperative to be transparent in its own activities so as to assure the electorates of an unbiased coverage and reportage. Our commitment is driven by only one purpose, which is to inform the electorate so they can be well aware of all the nuances before they practice their franchise.
• This is an introductory piece in an upcoming special series on the dynamics of the 2025 Students’ Union Election by the Union of Campus Journalists under its Election Watch Room Initiative.
