EDITORIAL
Soldiers go, soldiers come, barracks remain. The 2015 Students’ Union election has definitely come and gone, despite the hurricanes and volcanoes that blocked its way, the election withstood the test of time. Now, we have picked the eight executives out of 24 aspirants to occupy the affairs of the students from the brown building of Kunle Adepeju. Congratulations to you all.
As we congratulate those who will be sworn into office within the next couple of weeks and consoling those who lost in the race, we must definitely admit our mistakes and make corrections for us not to fall into the same pit next time and the Yoruba elders will say “ina esisi ki joni leemeji” meaning the same challenge does not come twice without solving it with a distinct success.
It was embarrassing to have seen and hear a fresh student was given a long list of some aspirants to memorize before voting. Agents were canvassing for their candidate just few meters away from the polls and the security men (Abefele and Man O’ War) were there watching without saying a single word or bringing such agent to book. This is definitely something that needs to be checked.
Education on how to vote was a top priority for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) just before the 2015 polls; this was to reduce the number of void votes to be recorded in the elections. What has happened to all the media work done to enlighten Nigerians during that period? Did Uites not benefit from this education on TV, Radio, Newspaper and even with all sort of enlightenment that went down on social media? It was shocking to have seen so much void votes from intellectual students studying in the “best university in Nigeria and eight in Africa”. Stop showing apathy with whatever that concerns you and the general students. Your candidate that lost might have won with those void votes you cast.
We were meant to serve as a perfect example to the town not emulating the town. The fighting that happened in some male halls on Saturday as a result of supporting or not supporting a candidate was completely disgusting. All thanks to security men who came in time to stop the hullabaloo. We are not to cause any uproar. That was portraying we cannot conduct a free and fair election and we expect change in Nigeria.
The dirtiest part of all was the way the electoral commissioners treated the campus journalists at the central collation centre. First, the electoral commissioner delayed the reporters outside the building and kept them in the rain to request for permission if they would be allowed. Afterwards, they were kept at the back to observe at a distance. Does the electoral commission have any skeleton in their cupboard? This shouldn’t have happened in UI community where we all know the importance of the media.
This is where condemnation ends and commendations begin. With all spirit of sportsmanship, we salute the courage of all losers that admit defeat and congratulate their opponents, those who are still crying over their loss should do the same. Everything is not just about congratulating them in public then being the greatest antagonist for the administration. If truly you are for the union, share your dreams for the union with your opponents, be his or her greatest strength in office and see the union rise above all forms of intimidation. We should all remember that “There is no higher religion than human service, to work for the common good is the greatest creed- Woodrow Wilson”
To the elected officers of Kunle Adepeju’s Building, once again we say congratulations. The greatest joy for you in this election is not your electoral victory, neither the prestige you will have after been sworn-in as executives, but what you deliver for the people who have trusted you with their votes.
|
