Campus Politics: Why You Should Actively Participate in Elections
Quadri Yahya
So far, the elections conducted on the campus of the University of Abuja are a replica of Nigeria’s 2023 elections.
For example, in the Department of English and Literary Studies, some students alleged that there was rigging and low turnout. Also, the National Association of Faculty of Arts Students (NAFAS) suspended her election for obscure – and flimsy – reasons; some caucuses accused the electoral committee of trying to manipulate the poll.
Furthermore, messages sent to a WhatsApp TV anonymously revealed that godfatherism, imposition of candidates, propaganda campaigns, etc, are elements that define campus politics and student politicians.
The faculty of law is said to be setting the pace as it carried out a peaceful election; no protest after the poll, according to some students.
For those who observed Nigeria’s polls closely, these are what characterised the fraught elections. Fortunately, the country’s structure creates a theatre for the performance of drama post-election, and we all saw the long-drawn legal battle that preceded the poll.
But UniAbuja's students' politics, a microcosm of Nigeria’s political landscape, may not allow for such impertinent litigation. However, unlike the Nigerian people, the students must not lose trust in the system; they can't afford to.
The student populace has significant roles to play in ensuring that competent student leaders emerge to represent them through a free and fair election. We cannot afford to hand the mantle of leadership through our apathetic and nonchalant attitude to those students with an entitlement mentality and greed for power.
Though, like Nigerians who are apathetic, many students of this institution do not see the need to participate in school politics, not to mention casting their vote on election day. To them, their engagement is a complete waste of time, energy, and resources. They know who will win, they would argue. Nigerians have indulged in this attitude for decades, and in the end, we all bear the brunt.
These are some of the flimsy reasons students fail to exercise their franchise. Later, when those emerged by minority votes are making bad policies, executing unneeded projects, and outrageously taxing students, the majority start to complain; but their voices will not be heard.
The ballot is the students' voice. Take the chance to speak out loudly; rave if you can.
Fortunately, as far as I know, at the department and faculty levels, the management interference in electing a candidate has not been mentioned (nor rumoured). That means power belongs to the students there. It's high time students read and studied their constitution (I asked for the constitution and it was sent to me); knew who was contesting for what; attended manifesto events, and congresses and also came out en mass to vote.
To rule and be a Nigerian leader tomorrow, you should start leading fellow students today. Campus politics presents the students with an opportunity to get involved in politics in a small setting in preparation for Nigeria’s politics meant for the cunny, strategic, and calculative mind.
Take interest in campus activities today!
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