The school management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, has suspended the Students’ Union election until further notice, due to violence that broke out between two different groups.
This was contained in memorandum signed by Dr Oluyemi Omotesho, Dean, Students’ Affairs, in which was noted by the management that it was essential to suspend the Students’ Union election due to the violence caused by the campaigns.
The management expressed that its decision to suspend the Students’ Union election was after it reviewed the imparts of the security situation on the campus on the Ede community.
According to PUNCH, the statement reads, “When the ban on politics was lifted on March 21, 2022, by ISEC, everybody was hoping for a violence-free election until two presidential aspirants, Akeem Kabiru Olawale (Kaybright) and Edward Ayodeji Michael (Edward) commenced their campaigns on March 24, 2022.
“The two groups clashed and violence erupted, leading to serious injuries on many students. A cutlass welding supporter was caught after using the cutlass to injure one student and another student with a gun was apprehended.
“The management reviewed the security challenges in the Federal Polytechnic Ede campuses and Ede community and took the following decisions;
“That the 2021/2022 SUL election is hereby suspended until further notice, when the security challenges improve to prevent the loss of lives and properties.
“The arrested students that are involved in criminal activities should be investigated.
“Students have been directed to start preparing for their second-semester examination commencing from 4th April, 2022.”
The incumbent Students’ Union President, Adekunle Jimoh, however, made it clear the management failed to involve the Union before taking the decision to suspend the Students’ Union election.
He stated he would, on Monday, meet the school’s management to make sure the suspension is lifted, while also advising the disqualification of those aspirants involved in the violence.
“I will be meeting the management on Monday. The management cannot because of what happened stop the election. We are going to have our election.
“Instead of stopping the election, the two aspirants involved in the violence should be disqualified,” Jimoh stated, According to PUNCH.