Oluwatobi Odeyinka & Adebayo Michael
The management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta has lifted the six-month old ban placed on Students’ Union activities on campus, declaring Thursday May 17, and Friday May 18 as new dates for the union’s manifesto and election respectively.
The management placed the ban on unionism after canceling the last election which was scheduled for November 3, 2017
The decision to ban unionism on campus was believed to have been influenced by the government of Ogun state as the cancelation was said to be an “order from above.”
The ban was lifted on Friday as disclosed in a memorandum signed by the school registrar, Emmanuel Adeleye and made available to the Directorate of Students’ affairs, all directors of schools, Heads of departments, Public Relations unit, and the Chief security officer.
The memo, with REF NO:MAC/ACAD 1/ADM 03, reads in part “I am to inform you that the management has graciously approved the immediate lifting of ban on students’ union election activities.
“Premised on this, the electioneering activities are to commence from Friday 11th May and terminate on Friday, 18th May, 2018”
Meanwhile, first year students undergoing the Higher National Diploma program would not participate in the election as only ND 2 and HND 2 students are eligible to vote.
Some HND 1 students have decried the decision to disallow them from saying, accusing the management of irresponsibility and tyranny.
Those who spoke to Press Club MAPOLY (PCM) expressed disappointment, saying the disenfranchisement was unjust and an infringement on their rights as students.
An HND 1 student, Akapo Elija said the decision to disallow HND 1 students from voting is unfair, arguing that they should enjoy every right as eligible students of the school.
He said, “It is very unfair, now that we are in school, I think we should be given the right to participate in the election.”
Also, Kolawole Kemi, an HND1 student of Science Laboratory Technology opined that the existence of Students’ Union in the school would shape the school as a responsible one but said “the disenfranchisement of the HND1 student, is quite unfair.”
For Damilare Razak of Mass communication department, “It is unjust, we hear that Students’ Union is for the students and every student should be allowed to exercise his or her right. I think the school management wants to play a game with the election but we are watching.
He advised the school management to ensure “the election is free and fair and ensure a winner emerges.”
The requirements for voting include signed and stamped school fee receipt, and any of 2016/2017 examination pass or 2016/2017 identity card.
