By: Our Reporters
In the past days, the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has been clattering with great concern and confusion on why the Students' Union Electoral Committee (SUEC) screened out two "strong" aspirants for the forthcoming AAUASU Election.
According to the screening results signed by the SUEC Chairman, Professor Olukayode Afolabi, only two aspirants were disqualified while others were cleared for the Students Union Election slated for May 4th, 2023.
The result was released following the screening exercise held on Thursday, April 27th by the SUEC to checkmate all students' political aspirants vying for various positions in the school's Students' Union apex body.
ECHO MEDIA had earlier reported that the disqualifiers included, a front-runner for the position of Students' Union President, Adeosun Oluwaseyi Francis, popularly known as Francophone, from the Faculty of Law, and Folorusho Ahmed Adekunle, popularly known as Adekunle, from the Department of Political Science, who was vying for the post of Welfare Director.
They were disqualified on the grounds of Security Clearance according to the statement obtained by ECHO MEDIA.
Security clearance
ECHO MEDIA investigation unraveled "Security Clearance '' as a document to be released by the institution's Security Unit which will state that an aspirant had no pending cases with them.
According to a source from the Unit who does not want their name on print, the Security Clearance might imply that an aspirant had once appeared before the institution's Disciplinary Committee and was involved in the vandalism of school properties.
The source said the Disciplinary Committee is under the Security Unit.
According to the source, aspirants charged with rape, examination malpractices, and other social vices can as well be disqualified.
However, AAUASU Constitution, Chapter 9, part three, article (e) stated that aspirants can be disqualified having been convicted by any court, removed from office before through misconduct, or has any pending case with the University authorities, security unit that has to do with cult-related activities, rape, vandalism, examination misconduct or other social vices.
It reads, "Notwithstanding, the provisions above, any candidate who had been convicted by any court, removed from office before through misconduct or has any pending case with the Universities authorities, security unit that has to do with cult-related activities, rape, vandalism, examination misconduct or other social vices shall not be eligible to contest for the election of the union."
Another factor that can disqualify aspirants is being in their final year.
Constitution Disqualifies Aspirants Guilty of Security Allegations- SUEC
In an interview with SUEC Secretary, Komolafe Olaleye, he said the Constitution supersedes anybody, saying the two aspirants were disqualified in accordance with the AAUASU Constitution.
He said, "Whenever there's a screening of aspirants as stipulated by the constitution, there's a need for security clearance before aspirants can be cleared, and when we check the provisions of that Constitution, it says aspirant that has a pending case or that has been alleged to have been involved in a situation of vandalism or any vices should not be eligible for any position."
Olaleye added that for any aspirant to be cleared for contesting, there's a need for the presentation of Security Clearance issued on his/her behalf.
He reiterated as a SUEC member, he could not be able to ascertain whether the aspirants in question committed the said offense or not.
"I'm not a member of the security unit, I'm just a member of the Students Electoral Committee. By virtue of that, I may not be able to express whether they do or not, but I could recall that so many people were invited during the 2021 protest.
"The student disciplinary Committee is a Unit under the security department of the Institution. It is very important that every aspirant contesting should consult the necessary quarters to clear those aspirants in line with the provisions of the law.
"Their names were released then as part of those that were invited to explain their roles in the protest. What transpired at the panel is not known to any of us. The constitution stipulated that when someone is indicted when you have a pending case, is not about being guilty or being culpable, it is about the indictment."
I didn't commit the alleged offense- AAUA Welfare Director's Aspirant, Adekunle
Reacting to his disqualification as a candidate for the position of Welfare Director, Folorunsho Hammed Adekunle, known as Adekunle, told ECHO MEDIA he's innocent of the offense.
Adekunle confirmed that he was to face the Disciplinary Committee in 2021 following the 'no school fees, no exams' protest, letting out that on the said date, he was not a participant and never vandalized any school properties.
"On the day of the protest, I had a test and after the test, I went to my girlfriend's house. From there, I put on my phone and was told they had started the protest. There was someone who was saying that one guy who was closer to Tunji Abayomi was there in the protest, the guy said 'I will be invited to the school management very soon' Immediately I was informed, I sent the picture of where my girlfriend and I were eating to the group that I wasn't part of the protest."
He said his invitation to the panel was the handiwork of people that felt they were at the corridor of power. "When I saw the list of names to face the panel, it was just my surname and my other name 'Folorunsho Adekunle' — my name is Folorunsho Hammed Adekunle.
"On the list, my Matriculation Number and department name were not there; when I went to the department to receive the letter of invitation from the school management, they said there was none.
"Some people said I should not attend, but for clarity purposes, I went there and they asked questions about everything and I told them I didn't have any involvement. Ever since then, they didn't get back to me not until they disqualified me based on the incident."
Adekunle further added that he was never involved in anything that might tarnish the school's image, but expressed astonishment that the SUEC disqualified him.
"When the screening came, those that feel they should escape from the criticism of the student union, went ahead and wrote anonymous articles trying to use the issue against me, and I feel that's the reason the SUEC member decided to disqualify me when I was not even involved in the protest. That's what happened because I wasn't involved in any other thing that might affect the security of the school."
'I'm Not Out Of The Race, AAUASU Presidential Aspirant, Francophone
One of the two candidates competing for the post of Students' Union President, Adeosun Oluwaseyi Francis, politically known on campus as 'Francophone' who was screened out based on the outcome of the screening result, took to his social media handle to express his reaction.
Francis in a statement obtained by ECHO MEDIA urged his supporters not to panic, stressing that he has not backed off from the election race and assured to get back on track.
His words: "Dear AAUAITES, the last 24hrs have been one of the best and most precious times of my life. The calls and messages received have given me a lot of insight into how acceptable the #UTILITARIAN_LEADERSHIP PROJECT is, not just within the students but across board.
"It is our intention to represent your interest and lead a student Union that will be attractive and unique, a union that will prioritize your welfare in all ramifications. Don't panic, we are not out of the race, all hands are on deck to ensure that all gets back on track and even better.
"Dear AAUAITES, you and I know we all deserve only the best of good leadership and as such, we have chosen the #UTILITARIAN_LEADER to be the driver of our bus, be rest assured that we will arrive safely."
Francophone, however, advised all supporters to stay calm and be peaceful as well as ignore provocative words or comments and keep hope alive.
"I urge you all to stay calm and peaceful. Let us, at this point, avoid any provocative comments or words being thrown at by said to have been disqualified on the grounds of Security Clearance."
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