Abeokuta, Ogun State – A group of aggrieved students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) have raised alarm over what they describe as a threat to democracy and fairness in the forthcoming Students’ Union elections, alleging deliberate disenfranchisement of eligible voters.
In a petition signed by concerned students, they accused the school management of failing to address the prolonged inactivity of the Students’ Union fee payment portal, a mandatory requirement for participation in the electoral process. The students noted that despite repeated appeals to the Director of Students’ Affairs (DSA) and the school counselor, the situation remains unresolved.
According to the petition, students from the School of Science, School of Communication and Information Technology, and several other departments have been most affected, leaving many unable to pay their dues and, by extension, ineligible to vote or contest in the elections.
The petitioners further alleged that the inaction of the DSA may not be unconnected to bias and favoritism, citing claims that the director openly supports certain aspirants. They warned that such conduct, if true, amounts to an abuse of office and manipulation of the democratic process.
“Democracy thrives when all stakeholders are given a fair and level playing field. The current situation is tantamount to voter suppression and undermines the credibility of the elections,” the students stated.
The students demanded the immediate reactivation of the fee payment portal and called on management to ensure that all eligible students are allowed to participate. They also urged the administration to investigate the role of the DSA and reaffirm the neutrality of all officers involved in the electoral process.MAPOLY Students Petition Management Over Alleged Disenfranchisement in Union Elections
Concluding, the petitioners stressed that the Students’ Union remains the legitimate voice of the student body, warning that any election that shuts out a majority of students would lack legitimacy and risk sparking resentment and tension on campus.
