By Abosede Odusola
Some University of Ibadan (UI) students have expressed displeasure over alleged late-night campaign activities by some Zikites in the Ladies’ Halls of Residence during the ongoing examination period.
The complaints were contained in an open letter titled “An Open Letter of Concern to the Students’ Community,” bearing the name A Concerned UIte on its letterhead. The letter alleged that campaign activities around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026, disrupted students’ rest and examination preparation.
According to the letter, some Zikites allegedly carried drums and made noise while campaigning in the Ladies’ Halls, despite the established midnight hostel closure arrangements. The group further alleged that the activities extended to lecture theatres opened for night reading, disturbing students who were trying to concentrate on their studies.
The letter identified the campaigns as supporting Oyekola, an aspirant for General Secretary; Maleek, popularly known as Plug, contesting for House Secretary; and Gbolahan, also known as Peak, contesting for Sports Director.
Expressing concern over the timing of the alleged activities, the letter questioned the consideration given to students’ academic welfare during examinations. It argued that electoral ambition should not come at the expense of other students’ comfort and academic progress, adding that such conduct could portray aspiring leaders as inconsiderate rather than responsible representatives.
The letter also featured complaints from students who said they were affected by the disturbance.
One student, who identified herself as an Awoite, described the incident as a recurrence of a similar occurrence during the previous year’s Students’ Union election. She alleged that campaign supporters of the incumbent Students’ Union President had engaged in similar activities last year but were prevented from continuing.
Recounting the latest incident, she said the noise began around 1:35 a.m., waking her from sleep. She also questioned why the campaigners allegedly continued despite the presence of security personnel on duty.
The student disclosed that the semester had taken a toll on her mental and emotional well-being. Describing herself as a light sleeper, she said the disturbance left her awake with a migraine despite taking medication the previous night. She appealed to fellow students to check on her and urged them to be considerate of others regardless of the candidates they supported.
Another student called for restrictions on physical campaigns for Students’ Union positions, suggesting that campaigns could be limited to online platforms. The student questioned the justification for disrupting students’ rest and studies with loud music, singing and shouting in the middle of the night when lectures, tests and examinations were ongoing.
The student added that, if physical campaigns were necessary, they should be restricted to reasonable hours, questioning how aspirants intended to represent students while allegedly disturbing their peace.
A third student also expressed displeasure over the timing of the activities, questioning why campaigners would conduct their activities as late as 1:30 a.m.
In the letter addressed to the student community, the group urged Zikites, the aspirants and their supporters to respect hostel regulations, protect students’ peace and allow everyone to concentrate on their examinations.
It maintained that no electoral ambition was worth sacrificing students’ peace, dignity and academic success. The group also implored the Students’ Union Electoral Commission (SUEC) and the university management to look into the matter.
