From IKECHUKWU NNADI, Nsukka
Turmoil can only be used to describe the current situation at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as the alumni of the institution have staged a protest demanding an explanation from the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Polycarp Emeka Chigbu for allegedly meddling in the affairs of their association.
The protesters, who gathered at Total Roundabout, marched to the Vice Chancellor’s Office, chanting slogans and waving placards that read “No to Election Manipulation” and “Free and Fair Elections Now”…
According to the protesters, the Vice-Chancellor crossed a red line by allegedly imposing a candidate for the recently concluded convocation election.
One of the protesters, Omego Bonaventure Chigozie who spoke to our reporter said they were protesting against alleged “election manipulation” by the Vice-Chancellor.
“Today UNN Alumni members lend their voice to what can be termed as imposition and election manipulation,” Omego said.
“The protest which took off at Total Roundabout and ended at the Vice Chancellor’s Office inside UNN was primarily to reject the just concluded convocation election where a single candidate was imposed on the Alumni members thereby disenfranchising more than 90% of legitimate voters the right to vote .
“Also among the aggrieved Super lion’s and lionesses is Comr Clinton Ogbonna (President of Nsukka General Assembly) who graduated from the department of political science, and also my humble self Omego Bonaventure Chigozie who is also a graduate of this great institution among other Alumni members.”
Asked what their demands were, Mr. Omego explained that “our demands are very simple and unambiguous.”
“That the University of Nigeria Nsukka should conduct a free, fair and credible election where all candidates will be given a fair ground to contest
“That all eligible voters who graduated from the institution should be given the right to vote and not chase them away with the university security.
“That the body conducting this election should follow the due process by conveying a meeting where a motion will be moved either to go ahead or not by the alumni members as provided by the constitution of the University.
“That the kangaroo ICT firm contracted for this election should back off as they are not recognized by the institution as the official ICT firm contracted to work in the university.
“That the registration process should be made open to all the Alumni members.
“And the last but not the least is that the VC should not impose his candidate on the people as it negates the very idea upon which the institution is built, which is RESTORING THE DIGNITY OF MAN. There is absolutely nothing dignifying about manipulation and injustice.
“The protest continues until all these concerns are adequately addressed by all concerned individuals.”
