I gallantly sat on my chair watching TV when my phone rang. At first, i was hesitant to go pick the phone because I was ultimately fascinated by the TV show. However, upon consistent ringing, I had to wake myself from this illusional fascination the TV had lured me into. I finally stood up and reached out to my phone.
Alas! It was Ayomide, a friend from the department of statistics– my co political activist. He called to announce the resuscitation of the proscribed Students Union. Startled and eager, I hung up to surf the internet and confirm myself. Damn! It was true; our incessant prayers had finally been answered.
Upon that, enthusiasm welled up within me partly for the gospel and ultimately for the positive corollary of the resuscitation. I knew then that the level of political participation would drive to the next level because I was absolutely tired of hearing and seeing political gladiators running unopposed in their respective faculties and departments.
Of course my thought had not been betrayed. Ever since that historic decision made by the school management, the political atmosphere and activities have tremendously improved. The political awareness and consciousness have taken a new height as it’s very obvious in the number of aspirants that have thrown their hats into the rings.
However what bothers my mind now is whether we can have the radical minds vying for these posts owing greatly to the amateur political atmosphere?
A quite number of Uites’ political emotions had been abused probably due to what happened in 2016. This category of students constitute the current 300l, 400l and 500l students. They would likely see school politics as an illusion by now. We heard of how they fought. How they won. How they lost. And how they were rusticated and suspended if any is in this category. Therefore, we wouldn’t throw stones at their lackadaisical attitudes.
With that in view, it would only be best conveyed in the form of appeal to the above categories to never distance themselves from politics no matter the obvious reasons.
That said. Salient questions beg for attention to direct and redirect the generality of UITES towards making informed political decisions:
- what are the achievable blue prints of those currently and would be vying for posts( this needs to be accessed)
- do they have track records? have we studied it?
- how capable are they?
- what are their philosophies?
- are there elements of charisma?
- are their plans achievable?
The Union belongs to UITES, sentiment kills adminstration faster than snipper; therefore, we must ensure we take the right decision by critically studying and examining those who have thrown their hats into the ring irrespective of the departments or halls they come from, with our analytical appetite. We need those who would lay the precedent for good political culture in our university.
