AN OPEN LETTER CALLING FOR STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE ESUT SUG CONSTITUTION IN THE ONGOING STUDENTS' UNION GOVERNMENT GENERAL ELECTIONS
To:
The Dean of Students' Affairs
Prof. Ifeoma Okwo Mary
Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)
Agbani, Enugu State.
Dear Ma,
With profound respect and genuine concern for the integrity of the ongoing Students' Union Government (SUG) General Elections, we write to respectfully call your attention to the urgent need for strict, impartial, and unwavering enforcement of the provisions of the ESUT Students' Union Government Constitution governing eligibility, campaigns, and the overall conduct of the electoral process.
The SUG Constitution is not merely a ceremonial document; it is the supreme legal framework that regulates the affairs of the Students' Union and guarantees fairness, accountability, and transparency in leadership selection. Every aspirant voluntarily submits to its authority upon declaring interest in any elective office. Consequently, none of its provisions should be ignored, diluted, manipulated, or selectively enforced.
Recent developments surrounding the electoral process have generated legitimate concerns among many students regarding the possibility of constitutional provisions being compromised through administrative discretion, political pressure, personal influence, or other external considerations. Any deviation from the Constitution, irrespective of the motive, would undermine confidence in the electoral process and diminish the legitimacy of those eventually declared elected.
The Importance of Academic Qualification
Among the constitutional requirements deserving particular attention is the academic qualification prescribed for aspirants.
The ESUT SUG Constitution expressly provides that:
- Candidates contesting for the offices of President, Vice President, Speaker, and Secretary-General must possess a minimum CGPA of 3.80.
- Candidates seeking other elective offices must possess a minimum CGPA of 3.50.
These provisions are mandatory qualifications—not mere recommendations or guidelines subject to discretion. Every CGPA presented by an aspirant must therefore be accurately computed, independently verified, and transparensively confirmed before clearance.
Academic excellence remains one of the strongest indicators of discipline, responsibility, consistency, and commitment within any university environment. Leadership in an academic institution should reflect the values the institution itself promotes.
If the University insists on academic excellence before awarding degrees, scholarships, honours, and distinctions, then the Students' Union must equally insist upon constitutional academic qualifications before entrusting students with leadership responsibilities.
Lowering these standards or overlooking constitutional requirements would reward non-compliance, weaken institutional credibility, and establish a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
More importantly, ESUT students cannot afford a repeat of the uncertainty, controversies, and leadership challenges that have characterized previous administrations. The Students' Union deserves leaders whose legitimacy is beyond question from the very beginning.
The ongoing election presents the University with an important opportunity to restore confidence in student democracy.
The events that followed the last SUG presidential election remain one of the most discussed episodes in the history of student unionism at ESUT. For the first time in the University's history, the candidate returned as President-elect was not sworn into office, resulting in prolonged uncertainty and widespread debate among students.
Many members of the university community perceived the developments that followed the election as evidence of the significant influence that external interests can exert on student politics. Regardless of differing opinions surrounding those events, one undeniable lesson emerged: whenever constitutional procedures are overshadowed by discretion or external interference, confidence in democratic institutions is inevitably weakened.
This year's election therefore represents more than the emergence of new student leaders. It is an opportunity for ESUT to reaffirm its commitment to constitutional governance, institutional independence, and the rule of law.
A transparent electoral process conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution will help restore public trust and reassure students that leadership in ESUT is determined by constitutional provisions rather than influence or expediency.
Equal Enforcement of Electoral Guidelines
Beyond academic qualifications, every aspirant must equally comply with all electoral regulations governing campaigns and participation.
Campaign activities should be conducted strictly within the officially approved period and in accordance with prescribed campaign guidelines. Any aspirant who commences campaigns before the authorized date, employs prohibited campaign methods, or violates electoral regulations gains an unfair advantage over others and undermines the principle of equal opportunity upon which democratic elections are founded.
Rules relating to campaign timelines, declaration procedures, eligibility requirements, submission of credentials, and every other electoral guideline exist to provide a level playing field for all contestants.
Once these rules are ignored for one candidate, they lose their authority over every other candidate.
Justice cannot be selective. Constitutional compliance cannot be optional.
As the supervisory authority over student affairs, your office bears the solemn responsibility of ensuring that every constitutional provision is implemented without fear, favour, affection, influence, or external pressure.
The credibility of this election will not ultimately be measured by the announcement of winners but by the transparency, fairness, and constitutional compliance that define every stage of the electoral process.
The student community is watching.
Alumni are watching.
Future generations of ESUT students will also judge this election as either a defining example of constitutional democracy or another missed opportunity to strengthen student governance.
Our Prayer
We respectfully urge your office to ensure that:
- Every aspirant is thoroughly screened in strict compliance with the constitutional requirements, particularly the prescribed CGPA qualifications.
- Any aspirant who fails to satisfy the constitutional academic requirements is disqualified, irrespective of popularity, affiliation, or influence.
- Any aspirant found to have violated campaign guidelines or other electoral regulations is sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
- The ESUT SUG Constitution remains the sole standard for determining eligibility and resolving electoral issues throughout the election.
The integrity of the Students' Union begins with the integrity of its elections.
When the Constitution is protected, democracy is protected.
When constitutional standards are compromised, the legitimacy of leadership is equally compromised.
We trust that your office will uphold the rule of law, preserve the sanctity of the ESUT SUG Constitution, and leave behind a legacy of fairness, courage, and institutional integrity.
Thank you for your attention.
Signed:
Concerned Students of ESUT
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
