Fawaz Adebisi
Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, including presidential aspirants of the Students’ Union Government, SUG and political stakeholders have expressed distrust in the school’s management one-month ultimatum, setting February 14 as deadline to hold the SUG election.
The institution’s Governing Council, led by Emeritus Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, had earlier mandated Prosper Oladele, popularly known as Chemical, and his executive members to transit power for proper running of the 2024/25 academic session within a month.
This mandate was necessary by the management after Chemical and his team protested, in the interest of the students, against high school fee, delay results among other issues on campus.
The protest which lasted almost a week saw different developments, from management resorting to shutting down activities in school, to SUG executives getting dissolved and later reinstated.
During the reinstatement of the Chemical led administration, as announced in a memo by the governing council on January 17, 2025, a one-month deadline was given to conduct a new election and transit powers.
By calculation, Jan 17 was two weeks ago, leaving another space of two weeks for the election to hold.
Monday, February 3, 2025 will make it 17 days after the mandate was given, resulting to having a week and some days left for the commencement of the SUG election. As gathered, the one month ultimatum will lapse by February 14, 2025.
Thus, students, including presidential aspirants and political stakeholders, have expressed bitterness and frustration as they lose hope in the commencement of the election any time soon.
Speaking with a political stakeholder, Oluwafirefunmi Adewale, popularly known as Fire, he explained that the SUG election is not feasible, even if everything is being rushed to meet the deadline.
Fire explained there are processes to follow for a successful election, highlighting and explaining them accordingly.
He said, “although I still expect the election to hold, but there are processes. We have to hold the SRC (Students’ Representative Council) and SUELECO (Students’ Electoral Committee) elections before the SUG election, and the remaining two weeks is like a waste because it’s not enough.”
He however advised that “the only thing we can do is to fast-track things and if the sitting SUG executives can work towards it in making it a success.
Babatunde Liadi, popularly known as Babsjudge, another prominent political stakeholder on campus stressed the impossibility of holding the SUG election in two weeks.
Speaking with Press Club MAPOLY, PCM, Babsjudge explained that the activities have flopped right from the start, adding that it’s too late to start acting.
However, he added that if the management could make things fast, the election might hold.
Aspirants Share Concerns
Olamilekan Olamide, a student of Mass Communication department, popularly known as Lammie, one of SUG presidential candidates has expressed displease and discontent with the process of the election.
In Olamide’s words, he’s been prepared for the election, putting efforts day and night into his campaign.
He said “yes, I am 70% ready, because there’s always another thing to do when it comes to election. I’ve covered science department and others.”
However, he stressed that not holding the election despite his stress will make him feel disappointed.
He therefore urged the management to continue to stand upright, adding that the election should hold whether the “SUG executives are ready or not.”
Isaac Ogunlana, another SUG presidential aspirant from Marketing department, popularly known as Iceconray, expressed concern over the possible late commencement of the SUG election.
Ogunlana who said he’s 50% ready stressed that it is left to the union to meet the preparation and make the election hold, adding that he won’t be happy if the election was postponed.
However, he said that “I would take it as an opportunity to work hard and make more progress in gaining more popularity and acceptance.”
SRC Speaker Assures Flexibility, Transparency
Reacting, the Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Akanle Moses, has assured students of a fair, transparent, and flexible electoral process as preparations for the upcoming elections intensify.
Addressing concerns about the smooth conduct of the elections, the Speaker stated that the SUELECO screening committee has now taken full charge of the process. Having successfully conducted the SUELECO election, the committee will now oversee the SRC and Students’ Union Executive Council (SUEC) elections.
“The form will be released by the committee, and every interested student will have the opportunity to apply for SUELECO positions,” the Speaker announced. “The committee will also determine the election date.”
The Speaker emphasized that the committee members were carefully selected based on their diligence and competence. “They are honorable members of the house, and their appointment is in accordance with the constitution,” he added.
SUELECO Screening Committee Opens Form for Aspirants, Submission Ends Today
The SUELECO screening committee has officially opened applications for students interested in joining SUELECO. The application process, which commenced on Friday, is set to close today.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria have been urged to seize the opportunity and submit their applications before the deadline.
According to a statement by the SUELECO screening committee, only HND2 students from 2023/24 set can apply for the form.
The selection process will be handled by the current SUELECO screening committee, which will review all applications and announce the successful candidates in due time.
These candidates will therefore hold elections at all levels, SRC, SUELECO and SUG.
They therefore added that “all completed forms must be submitted on or before the stated deadline, as late submissions will not be considered.”
Recall that the screening committee was formed on January 28, 2025, with Adeneji Monsuru being the chairman of the committee.
Chemical, SUELECO Chairman Keep Mum on Power Transition Plan
Amid growing anticipation about the next phase of the electoral process, the outgoing SUG president and outgoing SUELECO chairman, Adeshina Basit have remained silent on plans for power transition.
Despite repeated inquiries, the Basit has yet to disclose details regarding how and when the handover process will take place. This silence has fueled speculation among students, with some expressing concerns over the committee’s readiness to ensure a seamless transition.
Also, the SUG has expressed lack of interest in the election as all questions thrown in regards plans to change power were unanswered.
“I am not interested in answering any questions concerning election,” Chemical said as he hung up the call with PCM.
While some students remain hopeful that the election will hold soon, others believe SUG’s and the former SUELECO chairman’s silence could indicate internal deliberations aimed at fine-tuning the transition process