In an interview with ODUDUWA NEWS, the Dean of Students’ Affairs of The Polytechnic Ibadan, Mr. John Akinwumi Makinde discussed the recently conducted Students’ Union election.
The Dean who was also the electoral chairman, while granting an interview to ODUDUWA NEWS early hours of Monday, affirmed that the election was free, fair and transparent as against the allegation from some students that the process was tampered with to favour their annointed candidates.
Recall that some students had protested last week against the outcome of the election where they barricaded the school entrance, carrying placards with various inscriptions and chanting ‘aluta’ songs.
According to the Dean, “there was nothing like rigging in the election as all candidates were pleased with the process because all their party agents who represented the candidates appended their signatures on the result sheets.
“We had our Students’ Union election through electionic voting and we firstly had our dummy demonstration to showcase our readiness before the whole process.
“Thank God ODUDUWA NEWS correspondent witnessed the election, you saw the transparent process and how the election was conducted peacefully without any rancour.
“As unmpire we promised them fairness, equity and we demonstrated and showcased it. The process was so transparent because those that won and lost all appended their signatures.
“How will I rig online voting in the presence of security forces, journalists and several other people. We ensured that all stakeholders were carried along before the commencement of the electioneeing process and I didn’t even know the IT expert that designed the platform for election.
“The hues and cries aftermath were handiwork of my traducers who are hellbent on using every ocassion to launch their mischievous act, they have been on this before I became the Dean as no fewer than thirteen petitions were written against me and I overcame all their traps.
“I am from Marketing Department of the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies, both the students that won and lost are not from my department. The guy that won is from the Department of Purchasing Supply and the guy that lost is from Business Administration.
“It is however sad that some students embarked on protest and locked the gate to mislead the public. Though it is within their constitutional right to protest and express their grievances but I would implore them to be civil in all their approaches.
“We are open for talks on any issue, I will implore students to shun any act capable of truncating the smooth academic environment we have been enjoying for a long period of time.
“As an institution we have tried our best. Though, students will always be students. At the same time, they would keep on improving. Our expectations from those that won should be based on template and platform we give to them to ensure that the school is peaceful. We are lecturers here because they are here and we shall do everything under our control to ensure that the school is peaceful”.
The Dean implored the students not to be unnecessarily combative and when they have their grievances they should choose best alternative dispute resolution.
He talked about the students were suspended recently on the allegations of kidnapping and robbery. He said those students were given fair judgement at the disciplinary committee and they were suspended according to the rules and regulations guiding the institution.