UI DECIDES 2019: TO THE KINGMAKERS AND THE INTENDING KINGS

By Oyelami Emmanuel

Over six weeks ago, the entire student community of University of Ibadan went agog over the news of the reinstatement of the Students’ Union. Since then, there has been emergence of many aspirants for several posts. Although, there might be some reservations by some students, especially those in higher levels of study dullness of the current political atmosphere. Some might have even claimed that, apart from the dull political atmosphere, there might be no need to participate in the entire process because the incoming government might become pawns in the hands of the school management. All these speculations are by the way, but the discourse of this article will touch some of these areas of concerns.

Leadership transcends the self. Many aspirants will certainly have one or more reasons for vying for political posts. However, the question we should ask as active citizens is, what is their driving force. It would be a great calamity if their interest in running for political offices is borne out of greed, chivalry, self-aggrandizement. Certainly, almost all of them will have a reason for indicating interest. The most important element which supersedes their various reasons for aspiring is the answer to the question, what they have to offer. Leadership skills and competence are what students should watch out for in aspirants and not just their reasons for vying nor manifestoes. Selflessness, honesty, passion, commitment and accountability are what kingmakers need to see in their leader. A good leader should be able to communicate with the kingmakers, but should he be judged based on that alone? In as much as I do not erode the importance of public speaking as a leadership skill, I do not see it as a substantial criterion for electing a leader. Imagine University of Ibadan as a microcosm of our dear nation, Nigeria, do you think Nigerians are the suitable set of people to elect leaders based on their eloquence or sophisticated use of language?

In campaign posters of most aspirants, I have noticed the use of sophisticated language and grammars. Are these meant to sweep us off our feet and give our votes? Only a gullible kingmaker will be swayed by this easy to flaw gimmick of human persuasion. Propaganda is in no way a good leadership characteristic. In fact, in totalitarian states where citizens suffer human right abuses and degradation such as North Korea, Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, propaganda is used by terrible leaders to hold the countries. In case you do not know, North Koreans are made to believe, through propaganda, that their leader, Kim Jong-Un is a god who never sleeps, never uses the toilet and can control the weather. Credible leaders do not thrive on propaganda and I hope that our aspirants will take a cue from this.

Furthermore, there is always a difficulty in drawing a line between a proactive union and a radical one. This is to address the concern of some kingmakers who thinks the incoming student union will be a puppet with no real powers. Does a radical union equal an efficient union? Can a student union function well without all aluta? Yes! A major clog in the effectiveness of student unionism in Nigeria is the old fashioned method used in advancing the interest of the student. Do violent protests and riots exemplify a proactive union? No! There is this notion in students that leaders who fail to take things in the direction of radicalism are “dull’, “gentle” and not active. This is a wrong notion that should be dissipated of. This comment was passed by many Uites on the 2015/16 Nifemi led Student union. With the 2016/17 session Ojo Aderemi led Student Union comes the preferred radicalism. However, how far has that taken us? The aftermath of the preferred radicalism of the previous regime is no strange story to us all, not even to the freshmen who were not firsthand witnesses of the experience. The school management has made known its stance against radicalism and this made the incoming student union vulnerable to the whims and caprices of the management. In a situation like this, wisdom demands that one walks with caution, especially now that it is obvious that the students’ union have more to lose than gain in an instance of disobedience. Intending aspirants should learn from the woes and throes of the previous student union and refused to be pushed even if pushed.

        Kingmakers are people of nobility. In the old Oyo empire, there were 7 kingmakers; Bashorun (the leader of the kingmakers), Saamu, Agbaakin, Alapini, Laguna, Akiniku and Ashipa. They hold powers over land and other property in their domains. They were men of dignity and stood for a noble cause. In the University of Ibadan, assuming the real kingmakers are the students, then, we have over 12,000 undergraduate students, 10 undergraduate halls and 16 faculties as kingmakers. Won’t it be a shame on us all if we fail to elect good and credible leaders? It is indeed true that the leaders we elect are the true reflection of who we are. On what basis do we elect our leaders. During a discourse with a lady from the great Queen Elizabeth Hall, she revealed to me that she would vote for the presidential aspirant that is most handsome. I will not say that is ridiculous, rather, I’ll say it is ignoble. If we have this kind of electorate, what can we expect of the leaders?

Likewise, the credibility of kangaroo endorsements in various halls and faculties is a nut which seems to me very difficult to crack. When the ‘stakeholders’ of a hall or faculty endorse a candidate, do they speak for themselves or for all the members of the hall or faculty? Does endorsement stand as an equivalent of primary election? Does it serve as a means of persuading members of such hall or faculty for the endorsed candidates of the privileged few? These questions raise doubt in my beautiful mind as to the credibility of these endorsements. Also, do I have to vote candidate simply because he or she is from my hall or faculty or based on his/her capabilities? We are in an intellectual community and we’re meant to behave intellectually. Leaders should be voted for based on their leadership skills and credibility rather than mere familiarity. In conclusion, we are all stakeholders in this political race. Our duties, either as intending kings or kingmakers, are important to the success of the student union. In 3 weeks, we will be done with the whole process and be left in the hands of these leaders for the next one year. The events leading to the election of new leaders should as well not cause violence amidst students. Preferred candidates might win or lose. This is the natural order of life. Safe conduct of the election rests more heavily on the shoulders of the kingmakers.

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