In the Last Days…

It is no news that the current Student Union Government administration is gradually running to an end. As a matter the facts, the executives have overstayed their tenure, all thanks to the COVID-19 that disrupted the academic calendar. In view of this, certain persons who have their eyes on the SUB Building, who holds certain positions in their various departments, have started doing everything in their capacity to register their ambitions in the minds of the students. Some of the aspirants go out of their way to do notable things to endear the hearts of their electorates. While some consider their deeds as a selfless act, others simply raise eyebrows and frown at their actions, claiming that the acts are merely ploys to land them seats in the SUB building.
The Faculty of Arts is not left out in this latest development. Since the commencement of the academic session, the faculty has witnessed some mini unofficial campaigns in form of tutorials, orientation programmes, sports events and some other social activities courtesy of individuals who have in one way or the other indicated their interest in the upcoming elections. Last semester alone, a tutorial was organized by someone in the Department of Philosophy to help students out in one of the major courses, as expected student having issues with the course and those who wished to broaden their horizon turned out in mass. Another notable person in the faculty also gained more popularity when he organized a tutorial and then a mock exam for GES101 and as expected the LLT was filled to the brim as students who dreaded the course trouped out to catch a glimpse of what the exam would look like. Some individuals who either have no means of organizing tutorials or simply thought it an outdated strategy looked for other means to trend their political ambitions. The social media was almost their best alternative. In a bid to test their popularities and gain more attention, the aspirants flooded their supporters DMs asking them to help trend campaign banners on their Whatsapp statuses and other social media platforms.
Since the inception of the new semester, the table has not changed. Tutorials, which seems to be the most effective soul winning strategy, has begun in earnest, also, almost every nook and crannies has been defaced with poster bearing names of aspirant. Programmes are springing up almost every week, all in a bid to create awareness. These therefore beg the question: are all these being done for the love of AFAS?
Kalu-Chima Favour, a 100 level student from the department of Communication and Language Arts was of the opinion that those actions are just façade to get them into the student union, “This is typical of an average Nigeria politician”, she said. Adeyemo Victory, a freshman Linguistic student, cited the examples of the current Student Union executives, “When last did they organize tutorial initiate any new programme”, she asked. “That is exactly what will happen after the elections, so let’s wait till then and see if it’s truly for the love of AFAS”.
Indeed we are in the last days where there are lots of wolves in sheep’s clothing; nonetheless, we shouldn’t come to hasty generalization. While it is true that some of the aspirants might be in for their personal selfish interest, there is still the probability of some of them holding the faculty’s interest dearly, either way; we should do our part to ensure that the best man wins.