OPINION

NOW THAT UI S.U. HAS BEEN REINSTATED…

It’s no longer news to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of this notable academia that on the 30th of August, 2019, the ban on the Students’ Union activities was lifted by the university Senate after a period of inactivity for 2 years 3 months. Furthermore, it was resolved that a mandatory election is to take place 9 weeks after the redemption of the Union.

Following this development, various speculations have saturated the student community on the sequelae of this event. Such speculations came up due to the fact that the incidence caught everyone by surprise and there’s an atmosphere of suspicion as per why the whole incidence occurred all of a sudden.

Questions regarding such speculations have been as:

• Who will go to represent us?

This question has bothered the minds of many, if not majority and the reason is not far-fetched. It’s mainly due to the fact that people are scared of coming out to declare their intentions of aspiring for any position in the Union. In addition to that, there is persistent fear of the students’ disciplinary committee because the school authorities can mete out disciplinary measures to any student(s) who fails to comply with the wishes/ desires of the school.

• Even if we get a candidate, what then happens?

This question has also troubled some certain opinionists and their claims are laid on the fact that the school authorities may come up with some union-unfriendly rules and regulations that don’t favour students’ interests, in terms of speaking up, registering complaints, etc.

• What if none of these happens?

Truth be told, a certain few of the campus population think of this. And this idea is borne by a handful of optimists who think things would return to their initial state, i.e. no S.D.C., no unusual rules and regulations, etc.

• · However, how can we be sure about this?

To know what happens with time, I guess we’ll all have to patiently observe as things unfold.