The Decay of Student Power: A Scathing Indictment of UI'SU Farcical Leadership

By: Àkànní Olúwaségún Michael 

In a damning display of capitulation to administrative oppression, the University of Ibadan's student leadership has revealed itself as nothing more than a collection of spineless puppets dancing to the tune of their bureaucratic masters. As the students struggle under the crushing weight of unjust fee hikes, these so-called "representatives" have abandoned their duty, exposing the rotting core of a system designed to pacify rather than empower.

THE VANISHING CONGRESS ACT

Our story begins with the mysterious case of the disappearing congress. On June 28th, mere hours before a crucial congress, the Student Executives exposed their true allegiances by canceling the meeting under the flimsiest of pretexts.Their reason? The President and Vice President would be "unavailable." This blatant sabotage of democratic processes unveils the ugly truth: these are not leaders, but collaborators in the systematic oppression of the student body.

The verification of 250 student signatures over an unconscionable 28-day period is not mere incompetence - it is a calculated strategy to suffocate the voice of the people. This deliberate bottleneck serves only to protect the interests of the privileged few while the masses suffer under increasingly unaffordable education costs.

This Herculean task, mind you, was once accomplished in less than 24 hours during the April elections. Has signature verification suddenly become more complex than quantum physics, or is this a new form of performance art?

THE DEATH OF STUDENT MOBILIZATION

In a bold move that redefines the concept of leadership, the current administration has pioneered a groundbreaking "hands-off" approach to student engagement. Gone are the days when Union Presidents would roam halls, rallying students for congress. Instead, we're treated to a fascinating experiment in student apathy. The results? A congress attendance so low, it could easily be mistaken for an exclusive gathering of campus ghosts

This dereliction of duty is not just a failure of leadership; it is an active conspiracy to maintain the status quo, leaving the students voiceless and powerless in the face of administrative tyranny

GASLIGHTING THE MASSES

Our leaders deliver their pièce de résistance: a masterful deflection of responsibility onto the very students they're meant to serve. In a twist worthy of the finest political dramas, they argue that student ignorance and complicity are the real villains in this saga. It's a breathtaking display of mental gymnastics that leaves one wondering: who's really steering this ship.

The charade unfolding at UI is not merely a failure of individuals, but an indictment of the entire system of student representation. This mockery of democracy serves only to legitimize the exploitation of students while providing a veneer of false representation.

As the struggle continues, one can't help but ponder the future of student advocacy at UI. With leaders who seem more adept at avoiding action than taking it, and a student body caught between frustration and bewilderment, the stage is set for either a dramatic turnaround or a continuation of this absurdist play.

The time has come for a radical reimagining of student power. The existing structures have proven themselves not just ineffective, but actively harmful to the interests of the student proletariat. Only through direct action, mass mobilization, and the complete dismantling of these corrupt institutions can students hope to reclaim their power and fight against the relentless commodification of education.

The struggle at UI is not just about fee hikes - it is about breaking the chains of a system designed to crush dissent and perpetuate inequality. The question facing students is not how to work within this broken system, but how to tear it down and build something truly representative of the people's interests.

The future of UI, and indeed of higher education in Nigeria, hangs in the balance. Will students continue to accept this farce of representation, or will they rise up, cast off these false leaders, and seize control of their own destinies? The answer to this question will determine whether education remains a tool of oppression or becomes a weapon for true liberation.