By Ibrahim Oladosu
Undoubtedly, the endorsement of aspirants has become a necessary evil in our political system. Now that the race to the Kunle Adepeju Building has begun, aspirants are craving support from their departments, faculties, religious bodies, halls of residence to mention but a few. While this political tactic is unstrange considering the fact that aspirants need a large number of followers to emerge victories, the questions that are yet to be answered are—has endorsement of aspirants produced the emergence of worthy leaders? Is endorsement a meritocratic way of choosing the most qualified candidates
The endorsement of candidates as regards the Students’ Union elections is rooted in the political culture and socialization of the University of Ibadan. Past elections that have been held revealed that this culture has a way of influencing elections.
Going down the memory lane, in the 2019 SU elections, Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall endorsed Mr. Olusegun Akeju, which translates to the total support as he was the face of the Hall in the election. This led his victory. In 2017, Independence Hall endorsed three candidates for the post of General Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant General Secretary, victory was recorded in the election, though the administration was short-lived.
The endorsement of candidates in “the Union election should be a culture to sustain over time, considering how helpful it has been for our democracy” said Faruq, a UI Student.
A former Hall Chair of Kenneth Mellanby Hall, Adedoyin Folorunsho (Fahlin), described the culture of endorsement as helpful, a good culture to sustain considering three phase which are: Constitutional, political and tradition.
While feelings are suppressed, emotions are tramped in Politics, the culture of hall/faculty endorsement of candidates is neither legal or illegal. “the Constitution does not stipulate that a candidate should or should not be endorsed, rather, it is. Legal-grey area…… future legislative bodies might want to look into it” Fahlin opined. He added that endorsement is something that has been sustained. Following Fahlin’s lead, was Honourable Ogba Fortune pointed out that “endorsement is a tradition.”
Mr. Josiah Obong, President, Faculty of the Social Sciences opined that the culture of endorsement “is all part of the politics.” He believed that, “this culture does not diminish democracy. It in a sense brings about people’s participation.”
“Fahlin” further opined that “hall endorsement gives the hall the chance to scrutinize candidates….” He however admonished the actors involve to vet candidates” and not just to be blinded by Zikism or Mellanbism.
The shenanigans of endorsement have always been a phenomenon which is more or less a true evil. Victims of this culture have their cries and pleas resonating after their denial of endorsement. While spectators are better in match analysis than the footballer, the practice of this culture had always focused on suiting the needs of the respective halls while leaving the Union’s fate in jeopardy.
Despite the chant that our halls of residence should not matter at all when we are talking about whom to lead the collectivity of the studentship, meritocracy still has not characterized the endorsement of candidates.
