By: Asefon Stephen
The just-concluded SU election,which was conducted on 22nd of February, has spelt a colossal political defeat to Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, a hall that has been earmarked as the “father of UI politics" as a result of its political streak winning so far.
The politically-inclined Hall was engulfed with pandemonium and obvious agony, as none of its candidates, who competed with other Halls’ candidates, emerged as winners. The situation has been tagged “unusual", “Kòselèrí" and other sorts of names that resonated both shock and surprise from Zikites.
On the stage of agonizing with his descendants,the former Hall Chairman of 2021/2022 session, popularly known as MORRIS, expressed his displeasure against Zik’s loss which was capped with “ Zik Hall has not recorded any political loss in SU level, since 1963".
The Political Anatomy of The Defeat
After 62 years of dominance, Zik Hall suffers historic election defeat—what went wrong?
Aggression accompanied with sadness held their harbour in the hall yesterday, as elders asked co-zikites where the power of Zikism, traditions and customs lay. Additionally , a tangible reason, which Zikites have said to have been responsible for their resounding defeat is “Anti-Zikism", a term that is tagged "a concerted political movement against Zik's political stance".
However, a deeper analysis reveals that the Hall’s political decline may have been preordained, not by external forces alone, but by strategic miscalculations within its own ranks.
At the heart of this introspection lies the question of endorsement. The Hall’s stakeholders, the de facto kingmakers, made a controversial choice that polarized the Zikite electorates. A significant faction of the Hall had advocated for Ori Benson, a candidate perceived to be politically formidable. Instead, another candidate was chosen through a stakeholders’ vote—a decision that many now see as the fatal misstep.
In an interview with an undisclosed Zikite in A block, he said “ Although the endorsement is a product of voting, Ori would have been the best candidate to go for the position, cause the guy he is contesting against in another hostel, is a potential threat. And if not for the sake of brotherhood, I might not have supported the person that was endorsed”
Another Zikite, also from A-block, observed: “I have noticed that the UI election is based on popularity rather than effectiveness and capacity, it's during election times that you see these student-politicians wagging their tails around students, solely to have the support of these students. And it's not about how much he can do, it's because he is popular”
“I have seen him in political action and he didn't even do up to what Elemide, the current SU House Secretary, is doing. I didn't really know how he did it but I think Ori should have been given more attention rather than another person,” he said.
“Zikites should try to change their beliefs in traditions, brotherhood or customs to endorse people, rather it should be charismatically-based and some other positive measures” said another A- block Zikite, who requested his anonymity.
A B-block resident echoed these concerns: “To be honest, I expected the other guy to be endorsed. There were too many allegations and baggage associated with the candidate we chose.”
In his response to the question why did he think the other guy should be endorsed He said , " basically, because I have heard many scandals and complaints about the already-endorsed guy and I think he once served as SU House Sec”
The Endorsement Dilemma: Power vs. Inclusion
The political structure of Zik Hall has long been rooted in hierarchy and tradition. Stakeholders, wielding considerable influence, make crucial decisions on behalf of the larger Zik Hall community. However, this election cycle has exposed the limits of this approach. The growing dissatisfaction suggests a need for a more inclusive and transparent process.
Zikites, before now, had suggested that there was something somewhat wrong in Zik's stakeholders’ decision of choosing a candidate, even though it was their responsibility to do so.
A C-block resident expressed this frustration: “Stakeholders should engage more with Zikites before making such high-stakes decisions. While they have the power to endorse, the lack of consensus has clearly hurted us.”
Yet, others argue that the system is not inherently flawed. A B-block resident defended the stakeholders’ decision, saying: “Sanjay had experience. He had served before, and his endorsement was legally conducted. If the stakeholders chose him, then he was the best choice.”
“ I think the person that is more capable was not endorsed and I don't think Stakeholders’ voting should be the only metric to endorse the person that will represent the Hall at UI'SU election level “ said by another Zikite from A block.
“Zik’s stakeholders should try and carry Zikites along while making such endorsement decisions, though I know it's within their power to endorse. Still, nothing should have stopped them from creating awareness to Zikites cause each Zikite has the person they want in mind”, this is the voice of a C- block Zikite.
What Next for Zik Hall?
This election loss presents a pivotal moment for Zik Hall’s political machinery. It forces the community to reassess its political strategies, its reliance on tradition, and the inclusivity of its decision-making process. Should the hall persist with its insular endorsement system, or should it embrace a broader, more participatory model?
With these foregoing responses, while it's important to note the point of view of each interviewee, it is more important to identify their perception in the spirit of Zikism and brotherhood, and the decision of their stakeholders, and how the latter’s decision could affect the Hall’s Political fate.
Although Stakeholders are independent body to make decisions on behalf of Zikites and undoubtedly, the voice of the Zikites, they are expected to project this voice very well, but they should try to work on the inclusivity of major Zikites whenever such an intricate political decision is to be made.
Creating awareness on whom to endorse or seeking opinions on whom to endorse has been sensed as a just way or process to give a consensual decision-making and arrival at a very advantageous and befitting conclusion.
The fall of an empire, history tells us, is rarely sudden—it is often preceded by warning signs that go unheeded. Zik Hall has been served a rude awakening. Whether it marks the decline of its political dominance or a recalibration for future victories remains to be seen.
One thing, however, is certain: the old playbook is no longer infallible. The next generation of Zikites must decide whether to preserve the status quo or rewrite the script of their political destiny.
Editorial Comment: This article was compiled as a sample of the opinions of Zikites regarding the endorsement process and the hall’s unexpected defeat, marked by an unprecedented margin, in the just-concluded Students Union election.
