By Folaranmi Ajayi
Students across universities have berated the move of the federal government to close down higher institutions of learning ahead of the 2023 general election.
Recall that house of representative ask the federal government to shut down schools to allow students to vote during the election.
Students who spoke to Edugist had mixed feelings about the arrangement while some commend the move others say it will cause distraction and may affect the academic calendar.
Speaking from Ondo, Florence a sophomore student berated the move of the government as it is for their personal interest to en mass votes of students while they have done next to nothing to improve the quality of education.
“To even say that we students will vote or will be asked to vote is shameful considering what we have faced,the needless strike and lack of care for the sector”
Olamide, a medical student in Lagos told Edugist that he is not even happy with the fact that education is not been given the desired attention but with the move to allow students to vote everyone should perform their civil duties and vote wisely.
“Yes,I love the move as one which is important to allow every students participate in the electoral process but with lack of focus and attention for the system”.
Meanwhile, The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has announced that it does not have the power to force tertiary institutions in the country to stop academic activities in order to enable students to vote during the forthcoming general elections.
This was made known by the media aide to the chairman of the commission, Rotimi Oyekanmi, in an interview on Friday.
Oyekanmi’s remark was towards several pleas from stakeholders that universities should declare holidays for students to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and also vote in the coming polls.
