A Chronicle and Comically Honest Review of OAU Electoral Debate [II]

 Damola Badmos and Olabode Oluwafemi 

Office of the Financial Secretary 

Fasina Damilare Ezekiel (Dblaq) from Administration, Akintoye Akinsola (Dunamis) from Technology and Dotunodun Joshua (Pendragon) from Arts

How they intend to build the union toward financial sustainability so that they do not depend on alumni was asked, Dblaq promised 5000 students will be on scholarship and promised to tap into indigenous ways such as bursaries and grants. Well, realistic enough? Definitely negative. Dunamis said finance cannot be sustained without good management. He prided himself that three organizations are ready to partner with the institution due to his interest in the post. He said a proposal has been tendered to zenith bank and assured the students of something huge. Pendragon stated that what is on ground needs to be maintained before thinking of what is not on ground. He promised to give adequate advice to the EC l. All he keeps hitting on is advice and advise. Well, special adviser should fit him better than a financial secretary. 

About budgets allocated making the union account under threat, Pendragon stated on invoking scale of preference and importance before agreeing to approve a budget as well as employing the adviser role. Dunamis stated that priorities will be looked into so the union account can be safe. Dblaq mentioned a surplus/deficit scenario and referred to analyzing the ROI of the budget before approving. 

Well, no other question was raised. No further logical questions. Another bit of flaw from the Moderators. The three candidates prostrated to the audience in what I see as something irrelevant. Well, the status quo doesn't seem to be normal all the time.

ENGINE ROOMS

Office of the Secretary-General 

Ogunbunmi Deji (Supreme) from Science and Akinboni Opeyemi (OpLove) from EDM 

On watching traits regarding appointments, Supreme mentioned the issue of putting appropriate things as well as checking the track record. OP Love talked about selflessness, commitments and merits. 

On ensuring a working administration, Op talked about advising the union president. Supreme talked about checking the history of the president as well as giving recommendations and advice to the president. 

On how to manage the SG role with others, OP promised to make the secretariat an all-inclusive one toward satisfying Great Ife students. 

On the difference between a red pen and a blue pen, the two of them stated that a blue pen is for documentation while a red pen is for correcting.

On how to maintain the beauty of the SUB, Supreme tagged the building as a baby worth taking care of and promised to maintain the toilets, rectify the leaking water from AC, and solve the walls' dirtiness issue with gloss. Op talked about sensitization of the students on how the union building should be as well as rectification of current challenges such as toilets and water.

On how to handle documentation in the SU, Op talked about referencing letters appropriately and doing things the right way. Supreme referred to electronic and electronic storage of correspondence and files. Well, I see that as absurd. What if? What if a drive is stolen? What if it gets corrupted? Is that the end? Bad enough, Op was unable to spot-assess these flaws.

Not enough serious questions were asked but on a more serious note, they were phenomenal. Supreme looked sharp while OP looked like he knows better despite his cool nature. Great Ife students, think wisely before you elect.

READ ALSO: A Chronicle and Comically Honest Review of OAU Electoral Debate [I]

APEX SEAT DEPUTIES 

Office of the Vice-President 

Vice President - Adekoya Omoyosola (Yosola) from Education, Mercy Praise (Nikan) from Basic Medical Sciences, Niniola Liasu (Niniola) from Administration, and Yusuf Najat (Najat) from Administration 

On being mother of the union, Yosola stated overseeing the academic committee as well as being the mother of the union. Ninan raised issues relating to academics and welfare and pledged to be accountable by ensuring priority is given to the needs of all students at all times. Niniola delved into a song and talked about ensuring sacrifice is put first in all issues relating to the union. Najat in her talk about 

On who the president of the union is, Najat referred to him as her partner who shares the responsibility of students' welfare for further progress. Niniola referred to him as her partner in progress for whom they share goals together to achieve a union worth emulating and also referred to him as her leader in office. She further stated the president is someone she's ready to listen to and collaborate with to ensure progress in the union. Yosola in her words referred to him as the captain of the ship who must be ready to propel the ideas of other team members in ensuring progress. 

On plans for freshers, Ninan promised to organize the constitutionally-backed freshers' orientation on entrepreneurship, vocational, academic and life-defining programs that will open people to see who they are and how they can progress in life. Niniola promised to integrate them into campus life by navigating their way through meaningful programs and aids that will ensure it goes easy for them. Najat stated her clear plans which seemed unclear enough to make much difference, just the regular. In Yosola's words, just the normal repetition from Vice Presidential candidates. 

On citing their constitutional duties, it's something they all know. The normal status quo again. The performances here seemed competitive enough. Niniola looks sharp and experienced enough to maneuver through what she's in for. Niniola and Najat despite how they performed well seemed like a competition between two members of a faculty rather than focusing on what is to be. Yosola on her part is similar Niniola. Bright ideas from the VP candidates but generally, I don't feel the moderators hit them on the ideal spots. What occurred to mix of duties among excos? What happened to approaching academic failures at the level of the lecturers? What raped bridging Foster Relations between the students and staff to enable academic excellence through available resources? Well. The moderators are the moderators. Great Ife, do what thou shalt.

Apex Seat 

Office of the President

This office is scuffled with 9 contestants namely; Salvation Grace, Lordfem, Majeed Lev, Legbeti, Tao, Mastermind, Exceptional, Sir Tee, and Arole. 

Legbeti, Salvation and Tao all stood defensive of the incumbents. Of course, that was expected. Whatever notion you have about their administration, be sure to know they'd go lengths to defend it. 

Tao played skilfully smart in response to questions jabbed at him by his fellow candidates. Well, he's the current mouthpiece and experienced in how to delve out of critical situations. 

 

Arole seems to dominate the podium with his articulated speech such that even rants and noise bow at his feet. Well, can someone ask if he has offered Satan his required sacrifice? because there's more to politics than that. Nevertheless, he's articulate enough in approach to things. 

For Majeed Lev he came fully loaded with aluta spirit, ready to go radical if peradventure he emerges. No wonder Legbeti challenged him with such a related question. Radicalism approach to things is not always the solution but can be effective at sensitive cases. Great Ife Students, do what thou shalt. 

Mastermind, another incumbent chasing the 001 seat against all odds. A law student who witnessed how the constitution was shackled in the Reform-led administration. Well, sharp but tainted. 

Politics have always been said to be a game of numbers, seems Lordfem has that attribute though, as chants from his innumerable supporters was puffing the scene. He also looked sharp, experienced and readily set to change the status quo. Will he showcase his popularity at the polls or could things go the other way round? Well, great Ife, the game is on. 

Oh! Are you asking about other contestants? I zoned out.