As part of concerted efforts to provide credible reports and reviews on the candidates and the electoral process of the UI’SU, UCJ UI under its Election Watchroom Initiative reached out to UI’ SU House Secretary aspirant, Adeyemi ‘SeunJP’ Oluwaseun. In this exclusive chat with UCJ correspondents, Adeyemi discusses his plans for the Union and addresses a few questions concerning his candidacy.
UCJ: Good day everyone. welcome to this second interview of the UCJUI Election Watch Room interview session. Today, we have with us the House Secretary aspirsnt, Mr. Adeyemi ‘SeunJP’ Oluwaseun
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: Good afternoon. I am Adeyemi Oluwaseun aka Seun JP. I am contesting for the position of the House Secretary of the Student Union. Currently, I am the information and propaganda minister of Sultan Bello Hall as well as the Faculty of Law Chief Whip.
UCJ: OK. Why are you running for this position and what makes you think you are the appropriate candidate for this role?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: Thank you for the question. The reason why I’m running is for me to contribute my quota to the interest of the students. I have a mantra and I believe leadership is by service and sacrifice. So it is this drive for sacrifice and service that pushes me to say, oh, let me come out here and represent the students.
UCJ: You’re running for the post of House Secretary. Can you tell us more about the office you’re running for?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: Thank you. The house secretary office is the position that deals or that shares the welfare of the students. That is the welfare in the aspects of electricity, water, health, bursary, transportation and things that deal generally with the welfare of the students. Also, the position takes inventory of the union’s property. The position also keeps the power to be known and monitors constructions of the union, it also ensures the student building is maintained properly.
UCJ: So what are your plans if you are elected into the office? What are your plans for the students?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: Okay, my plan is to have a responsible union. A union that the students can look up to any time any day that’s inclusive and that can bear the interest of the students any time any day.
UCJ: What exactly are your visions? What you plan to do once you get elected.
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I plan to leave a mark of great impact so that whenever the name SeunJP is mentioned and the office is remembered, they’ll say this guy did something good as regards the welfare of the students. Talking about some of my plans, I would say we are working on effective communication mechanisms and also the health system. I noticed that students generally complain about the health facilities and the services they get from the university health sector. So we are working on getting something good out of it.
UCJ: We are sure the previous set of executives have said so. Yet, students still complain about Jaja. so, how do you plan on making a difference?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I believe a plan is not the problem but having a clear cut route or procedure of achieving it. I’ve checked the problems and provided a solution. I also have plans on how to achieve these plans with those I’d be working with. If elected, I would ensure these plans become successful. It won’t be a promise but a reality.
UCJ: Could you please analyse the accomplishments and failures of the current House Secretary?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I would say he did great with the transport system, as there was a time when the transport commuters were trying to increase the fees to outrageous amounts. I remember we conducted a research entries committee on the transport unit and eventually met with the VC before the prices were reduced to reasonable amounts.
UCJ: Can you give a brief comment on the ABH current light issue?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: The situation at ABH is so saddening and overwhelming and I believe there has not been proper electricity at the hall for close to 90 days now which is not good for a place where students stay.
UCJ: Over the past six months, UItes have protested at least three times. How do you intend to contribute to solving the major issues that have led to these protests and could you please mention the issues which brought about the protests?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: Ok, thank you. Some of the major issues that led to the protests were fee hike and electricity rationing. I would ensure I work hand in hand with other elected executives so that the plans and interests of the management do not go against the interests and concerns of the student body.
UCJ: What is your political standpoint on the travails facing UItes?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I’m not happy at all with them and I would ensure that lasting and effective solutions are found if elected.
UCJ: Previous administration mentioned that they would fight for the interest of the students and you also mentioned the same. How do you plan to make a difference?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I believe the ideas of I and the other executives would help in getting an effective way of solving this problem. I would ensure students get the best of the services that can be rendered.
UCJ: Many students have complained about the quality of food in the school cafeterias; what do you think you would do about it if elected?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I plan to set up a committee that would be a health advisory committee . This committee would make constant and frequent hygienic checks on the food vendors.
UCJ: What is your take on the issue of infrastructure defacement?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I believe it’s not good because it’s destroying the properties of the institution by leaving them in very poor conditions. I believe there are places we can paste our fliers and stickers on which won’t cause much damage. An example is the floor where rain water can easily wash it off.
UCJ: What is your take on the methods Team Amelioration has adopted in trying to solve the problems encountered by the students?
Team Amelioration has done their best in achieving the best for the students.
UCJ: How do you think the skills you possess are relevant for this position?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I believe the skill I possess as an information and propaganda minister would enhance my role as the house secretary through effective communication mechanisms. I also believe the experience I’ve gathered from being an executive in other organisations would also contribute to the impact I would make as a house secretary.
UCJ: Which do you think is preferable – Stakeholders meeting or the Congress?
Adeyemi Oluwaseun: I would say the Congress is preferable, if left to one though I believe both are necessary. This is because I believe in inclusivity as the students should be involved in the administration as it would help them channel more energy into the system and aid in getting feedback and serving the students better.
UCJ: Thank you very much, once again.
• This interview is part of a special series on the dynamics of the 2025 Students’ Union Election by the Union of Campus Journalists under its Election Watch Room Initiative.
