Eight University of Ibadan students have submitted a formal petition to the Students’ Union Executive Council (SUEC) and the Students Representative Council (SRC), decrying the Union’s failure to convene a general meeting as mandated by the SU constitution.
The petition titled “A Letter of Petition on the Failure to Call a Congress” was prompted by the Union’s refusal to address the outcomes of the protests held on July 16 and 17, which centered on increased school fees and student victimization. Despite the submission of a letter with over 250 signatures demanding a Congress, the Students’ Union has not responded.
According to the petition, the Union’s inaction contravenes Article Thirteen of the Students’ Union Constitution, which mandates the call for a Congress under such circumstances. The petitioners highlighted the urgency of the matter, emphasizing the necessity to reassess the protests’ outcomes.
“Hinged on the need to re-evaluate the general outcome of the July 16 and 17 protests, especially as it relates to the increment in school fees and victimization of the UISDC3, among other things, a letter demanding for Congress with over 250 signatories, as provided in Article thirteen of the Students’ Union Constitution was acknowledged by the Students’ Union on the 25th of July, 2024. However, the Students’ Union has flagrantly refused to heed the call for Congress despite students highlighting the urgency of the matter,” the petition read in part.
The petition demand the Union’s leadership to reevaluate the protest outcomes and call for a Congress by August 2, 2024, failing, which they threaten peaceful demonstrations at the Kunle Adepeju Memorial Students’ Union Building.
“We find this refusal unconstitutional and unbecoming of people who are purportedly representing the interests of students. Against this backdrop, we strongly demand that the University of Ibadan Students’ Union leadership calls for Congress to re-evaluate the general outcome of the July 16 and 17 protests. At the expiration of a three working days’ultimatum, which will lapse on Friday, 2nd of August, 2024, further refusal to heed this call would have us resolve to peaceful demonstrations at the Kunle Adepeju Memorial Students’ Union Building to press home our rightful demand for a Congress,” it also stated.
The letter is signed by several students, including Aduwo Ayodele, Nwosu Ejihele, Adejoro Aderinsola, Ojo Oluwasegun, Nice Linus, Awopetu Michael, Adediran Fola, Olajide Olawale, Babatimehin Peace, Oladele Damilare, and Ogunrinu Olanshile.
Various bodies, including Council of Hall Chairpersons, University of Ibadan The Dean of Students Affairs, University of Ibadan The Chief Security Officer, University of Ibadan, the Dean of Students Affairs, the Chief Security Officer, and several academic and non-academic staff unions, were also copied.
