Adeniji John

Democracy does not consist of flaunting an already crammed definition of its essence as “the government of the people, by the people, and for the people” according to Abraham Lincoln. Beyond the delicate rhymes of this definition, true democrats will agree that the essence of democracy is derived in true practice. True democracy thrives on the principles of fairness, equity, and, more importantly, adherence to the rules guiding electoral processes.

These principles transcend mere theoretical frameworks meant to be crammed. Particularly, they are the building blocks of great human society And within the clime of a university community where knowledge is acquired alongside relevant virtues including character-building, one would expect that the sanctity of electoral practices and guidelines would be jealously guarded. However, this is not the case, particularly in relation to student unionism on campus given the troubling trend of subtle and covert campaigns by potential candidates prior to the official lifting of the campaign ban.

The university is a space where, beyond academic empowerment, the younger generations and leaders of tomorrow are nurtured to become worthy of character. As such, practices within the university, particularly those guided by law as the issue of ban on electoral campaign before elections across departments, faculties, and the overarching university’s Student Union, need to be upheld. Categorically, the ban on public campaigning before a specified period is a provision within the constitution of the university Student Union at all levels. Precisely, the electoral act of the University of Ibadan Student Union Electoral Committee empowers the committee to lift the ban on electoral campaigns before the commencement of campaign before election. According to the dictate of the electoral act that spells out  this act, there are sanctions against defaulters. This practice derives from the need to create a level playing field for all candidates.

Regrettably, subtle campaign methods have been revised by potential candidates. These subtle campaigns come in different forms from the commonest “welcome back to school” graphics that trend at the wake of the second semester, to the incessant motivational sayings that accompany them. More often than not, cryptic messages, veiled suggestions, and the use of number codes that easily communicate these potential candidates’ intended office are means that have been deployed to circumvent existing electoral acts that condemn such acts. Although it may appear harmless on the surface, these circumventing practices amount to a blatant disregard for the constitution; this can undermine the integrity of the electoral process. These unlawful practices amount to the imperative to enquire into the level of disregard its perpetrators will engage in, and perhaps uphold were they to be elected into office.

Stakeholders in matters relating to electoral practices across departments, and faculties need to guard the constitution more jealously as true custodians of the law that they are  in their respective capacities. Proactive steps should be taken by Electoral Committees to sanctions should be meted out against defaulters. The general student populace must also bear in mind that the electoral committee does not bear monopoly in relation to addressing this issue; instead, the collective efforts of students are necessary to changing the status quo. As the primary stakeholders in the electoral process, students have a crucial role to play in upholding the integrity of the elections. This includes reporting instances of subtle campaigning to the relevant authorities and refraining from supporting candidates who engage in such practices bearing in mind that by condoning or overlooking subtle campaigning, we are failing to uphold key values and are, instead, nurturing a culture of impunity which will both undermine the credibility of student union elections and tarnish the reputation of the professed university education.

Issues relating to subtle campaigns on our campus are a microcosm of the wider irregularities that persist in the larger human society, particularly in relation to elections at the local, state and national level. Thus, the circumvention of the electoral act is not esoteric to the immediate university community, but also extends to the wider human society constituting a much more broader societal challenge. By implication, curbing the infiltration of this act into the fabric of the university community implies a greater good in terms of protection of the larger human society from the perils of injustice, inequality, unfairness and disregard for rule of law that have disrupted the maximal operation of our society.