The current political dispensation in the Polytechnic leaves one with no choice but to write to the notice of every single individual in the school. The structure of the Polytechnic as we all know, has directly or indirectly made some students and even staff who are expected to be fair in their judgement, have the perception that Main Campus must be put above Mini Campus (Abusi) when strategic decisions like electing the SUG President are being made.
The Student Union Leadership of the school has continued to go through a recycling state where the same decisions (of choosing, not electing) Students Union Leadership are being taken by those at the top cadre of power.
While it is an election in the face of students, it is always a planned and structured step to make whoever comes out from the Main Campus, the SUG President. Ordinarily, this cannot mean well for the general students populace.
Especially when those who eventually get to this position are known to be rubber-stamped and bottle-necked to fit in to the needs and desires of some Staff who are always motivated to shut down every power that the SUG carries.
At the middle of all of this, there is always a Department that stands out of the pick, questioning status quo and doing their best to limit the authoritarian power of those that be. The irony however is that this Department has its residual space at the Mini Campus.
Now, students from here are stuck between so many irregularities and trash-talking and consequently, the students from the Main Campus who are supposed to be in solidarity with their fellow students at the Mini Campus spit out words like “Someone from Abusi cannot be President” or “We cannot allow those ones from the Mini Campus to come and govern us”.
Are students with these perception at fault? No. The Management Staff who are supposed to be fair and transparent and neutral in choice of the majority is at fault. They are the ones instigating hate and creating the bandwagon of bad blood in the minds of students who are expected to be future leaders of agencies, government parastatals and even academic structures.
It will not shock you that this problem has been on for a long time. But fortunately, a solution is here and whether we like it or not, it is here to stay.
Staff, we are totally grateful to God for putting us under your care. So many students have graduated from here to become experts and celebrated individuals in their various fields. You should be thankful to God that you have instilled academic confidence in people who have gone on to do so to others.
However, some of you need to draw the line between Students Government, Academic Capacity, and Staff Interference. Whether you like it or not, the Leadership of the institution rests on the shoulders of those at the top cadre and if my understanding of leadership is the same template used by those of you influencing students leadership the wrong way, I would not be writing this article at all. It is quite unfortunate that some of you have not only chose to be a killer of ambition, but also spread bad blood among students while enjoying the immunity you have as Staff of an institution with lots of prospects. Some of you need to change your mindset.
Students, we are the leaders of now. Every Staff you see here have gone through this phase we are now and there is little or nothing they have to lose from whatever the outcome of election turns out to be. You should be thankful to God that you all are students with 21st century readiness to take strategic decisions.
However, some of you have chosen to become puppets. Puppets who do not think with their heads. Puppets who have chosen to remain puppets just so your name can be called in the midst of Staff. But do you know what you are doing to yourself? You are killing your own future gradually. If you continue to have the perception that Leadership should not cut across all Departments at this level of your lives, I wonder how you will be able to lead your homes and the larger society when you get to strategic positions.
Having said this, Staff, we all need to stop discouraging students from taking huge steps. We need to be able to pragmatically influence students and not bad-mouth some over others. The school structure is like this because of some reasons. Both campuses still carry the name; Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, so why should you have favorites and still make it obvious that you prefer some of them to lead, while the others follow?
Please, let nature take its course. The capacity of the Rectorship and Governing Council of the school is good enough to build authority and utilize it where necessary. Do not pitch students against another. You have done your part. Let students decide. Wherever the new Students Leadership comes from, the leadership structure of the school is capable enough to make things work out because they know that obviously, there will be no excuse for failure.
To the Students, Do not let anyone instigate you against one another. You were first students before the politics came in. Never ever forget the place of fairness. Do things right all the time and make yourselves one. Do not let Staff pitch you against yourselves. They have lived their lives. You have yours to live and now is the time to build that good and proper political will that will shape you as leaders of a New Nigeria. Desist from bad politics. Engage yourselves responsibly. Do things right and challenge status quo if need be. Follow school regulations and motivate yourselves to do the same. Do not spread hate. Let the will of the majority take its cause.
You can do it and you will be glad with the outcome.
The Manifesto is today and the election is tomorrow. You have enough time to take necessary actions. Goodluck..