Funmilola Adediji

In a democratic setting or association, there is always the need for separation of powers. This need, which is established in order to ensure a clear demarcation of duties and responsibilities of all its members, and for the sake of preventing a stray from individual official mandate, and acting out of constitutional duties, and also for accountability essence. In regards to this, there are always directives to be followed to ensure that there is a complete carrying along of all the members of an association to prevent centralization of power, which could bring about anti-democracy. A situation in which people in authority take decisions without the opinion of the majority.

Going straight to the issues of concern which is the appointment of an academic director by the NASELS executives.  On the 14th of May, 2024. The newly inaugurated executives made an announcement of the appointment of Samuel Adeboye Adepoju as the Academic Director of the association. The appointment of an Academic Director which is commendable, may as well be seen as a good idea, however the procedures for the appointment raises a number of questions.

Now, this appointment was made under the old constitution of the association, that is, the one the administration of Team Rejuvenation [the outgone administration] worked with. Of the nine duties of the president, there is no where were the president of the association has any power to appoint anyone, as much as it did not say anything about any appointment powers of the president as a whole. However, appointments can be made by the congress, which has the constitutional supreme authority and judicial power of the association. It is during a congress, appointment matters are discussed with the consent of NASELSites, as necessary.  

Furthermore, academics, which is a key aspect of the association, according to the constitution is one of the duties of the vice president to handle. And as a matter of fact and tradition, with constitutional backings, the aspect of academics in the association has always resided in the jurisdiction of the vice president in most operational and functional student association existing in the University of Ibadan. In NASELS case, Article 10, section ii of the old NASELS constitution states that the vice president should “Be the chairman of the Academic committee” . This shows that anything related to the academic committee should be the duty of the vice president of the association. By further implications, the vice president is saddled with the constitutional duty to preside on any issue regarding academics, in the association. Had it been seen that this appointment was made by the vice president, it would have been another narrative entirely. But the announcement of the appointment of an academic director did not come from the office of the vice president; neither was it signed by the vice president, but by the president, meaning the appointment was made by the president of the association. However, the appointment letter made public, had signatures of the General Secretary and that of the Public Relations Officer.

However, to the majority of the members of the association, this may seem unworthy to address, but as a matter of fact, it is expedient for the press to remind everyone of their constitutional duties, and where their supreme power lies in decision making. Turning a blind eye to an action taken by the executives might make them feel they are on the right track, but obviously they are in the wrong, as the procedures justifies the result, and not the other way round. Some decisions taken in the past might have been out of the provision of the constitution, but the association’s gaze should be set on maintaining an organised association, and not that of mediocrity, where the rule of law will be supreme. There are times in which the executives would need to remind NASELSites of their responsibilities as members of the association, but it would be unheard of, if those in authority are seeming to take things into their hands, as a result of the seeming constitutional weak spots or grey spots. There is always going to be the need for orderliness and this can never be overemphasised. NASELS should be an association which obeys the provision of her constitution, to give an outward image of a law abiding association.

Benign as it seems, political interference can undermine the effectiveness of an association, in a matter of time. As there will surely be progression of such outgrowth or under-growth in which decisions taken will be influenced by political interest beyond the common good. On another perspective, actions of this manner will potentially contribute to the increase of political apathy among NASELSites which already is threatening the balance of things in the association. Many will see no importance in being involved in the association politics if all that would be done is a one sided appointment, at the whims of the president, or as a matter of fact, an unnecessary duplication of office. There is therefore the need to incorporate an elective method rather than a selective one for appointments to any vacant or newly created offices in NASELS, as much as possible. As this will encourage togetherness, rubbing minds, inclusivity, and achieving significant goals in the association. To work effectively as executives, it’s crucial to make a conscious effort to work without intruding on the responsibilities or domains of other offices, for a proper accountability sake. However, this is not to say that collaborations of office should not be explored, nevertheless, in such instances, the public of the association should be adequately carried along.