The National Association of Nigerian Students, Joint Campus Committee (NANS JCC) in Ogun State, has condemned the action of the management of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), aimed at scuttling the conduct of a free, fair and credible Students Union Government election.
The students expressed deep concerns, saying they were disappointed over recent developments at OOU that threaten the democratic process within the institution.
The student body conveyed its anger in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Adeyanju Oluwafemi, chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Ogun Axis; Comrade Okereafor Bestman, National President, Progressive Students Movement (PSM); Comrade Olufemi Owoeye, Secretary, NANS, Ogun Axis; and Comrade Sodiq Hassan, Public Relations Officer, NANS Ogun Axis.
The students have accordingly rejected the electoral committee set up by the vice-chancellor of the University, arguing that the purported committee was an imposition and that the selection for the electoral committee, was in clear violation of the constitution.
The statement urged the students aspiring to contest for various positions in the proposed SUG election to refrain from obtaining forms from the “illegal committee” constituted by the vice-chancellor.
The students noted further that in a series of troubling events, the OOU school management has undermined the will of the student body and disregarded established constitutional procedures, raising serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
Part of the statement read: “The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS JCC/Ogun Axis, strongly condemns these actions by the OOU school management.
“We call for a return to democratic norms, adherence to constitutional procedures, and respect for the will of the student body.
“NANS Ogun also strongly condemns the alleged selling of aspiration forms by the illegal electoral committee.
“We categorically state that this is a charade that will not stand. We advise potential aspirants to shun any misleading, devilish, and controversial forms, as they do not come from the appropriately constituted authority.
“We urge all students to uphold the principles of fairness and democracy while seeking legitimate avenues for participation in the electoral process.
“We want to make it clear that if the OOU school management fails to rectify these issues and uphold the principles of fairness and democracy within the next 24 hours, NANS JCC/Ogun Axis will take decisive action, including appearing on the OOU campus, to ensure justice prevails.
“During a recent Senate session, a motion was proposed and passed to constitute electoral committees consisting of active students who had paid their fees for the current academic session, a decision that adhered to Section 2 of the constitution.
“However, the Acting Chief Judge, without providing any reference to constitutional violations, declared the electoral committee null and void.
“Instead of offering a constructive intervention, the Vice-Chancellor chose to act against the wishes of the student representatives by cancelling the duly constituted body.
“Furthermore, the VC imposed his own selection for the electoral committees, a clear violation of the constitution,” it stated.
