Editorial: Demystifying Political Apathy: A Clarion Call To All UI Students

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“Democracy is not a spectator sport, it is a participatory event. If we don’t participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy.”

The above statement according to Michael Moore, conjures up what democracy represents – popular participation. However, the disposition of students of University of Ibadan towards political participation thrives on a brink of “I don’t care” attitude, leaving the trail of incompetent leaders, dashed hopes, and empty promises after every election cycle.

In spite of the quest of scant number of politically inclined students and group of student activists who strive assiduously to have a viable and virile Student’s Union, their attempts are thwarted by the ease with which those who deemed it fit to vote give in to sentiments to overshadow merit and competence.

The reactions and actions of the Students’ Union Leadership when the school management reeled out the increment in school fee underscores the level of their competence and strong will to protect the interests of the students. On several occasions, Aweda-led administration held many meetings with the management. All ended in a vain attempt. The Union also released memos, instructing students to hold on on the payment of school fee. But the hope of the school bringing down the fee was brought to its knee when there was no drastic actions from the Union.

The SU President dragged his feet, waited for so long, before he could join the students when they decided to air their grievances in a series of protests. Isn’t this paradoxical? Without mincing words, it evokes a sense of insensitivity on the part of his leadership.

The ripple effect of his inactions not only linger on our faces. It has also etched indelible mark on the minds of the not-so-lucky students who were caught in the web of hike in school fee, unable to wriggle out, then forced to forgo their academics.

To put aside the issue of the hike in school fee which brought the incompetencies of the SU leadership in the glare, students are embattled with several other pressing issues. Even though the students have swallowed the bitter pill of the increment, halls of residence are in shambles, electricity on campus has been subjected to rationing, equipment in the laboratories are moribund, and poor facilities dominate our faculties. Nevertheless, the Union turn deaf ears to the cries and wails of the students.

On the flip side, reverse could have been the case if we had not entrusted the helms of affairs within the clutches of mediocres. By this, we need to look beyond the facade of hall, department, faculty affiliations during elections and improve the level of our political participation.

“If you were heading out on a journey by sea, asks Socrates, who would you ideally want to be in charge of the vessel? Just anyone or people educated in the rules and demands of seafaring? The latter, of course, says Adeimantus. So, why then, responds Socrates, do we keep thinking that any old person should be fit to judge who should be a ruler of a country?

According to Socrates, voting in an election should not be based on a random intuition, rather it requires a skill which needs to be taught systematically to people. In his words, “ letting citizenry vote without an education is as irresponsible as putting them in charge of a trireme sailing to Samos in a storm.” It follows then that Socrates advocated that voting should not be restricted to a narrow few and sentiments but those who had thought about issues rationally and deeply.

Thinking rationally in this context, entails going through the manifestos of the candidates, casting a glance on his/her background – for those who have earlier served in a particular position, and calculating the intellectual capacity of the candidates.

Plato also opined that politics needs expertise. Leaders should be carefully selected because as politics need competence so is political decisions require good judgement.

However, we cannot afford to fold our arms at the expense of participation in the political activities on campus. The nonchalant attitude of the some qualified candidates have made it so attractive to people who are not naturally inclined to service and public life.

Also, we should not abandon the conscience of our affairs to a few student activists. It is our collective responsibility. Voices must rise from and steps must be taken in all departments, faculties, and halls of residence. We must even pay tribute to the student activists for the situation could have been worse without them.

We must look inward and elect leaders who are full of drive and willing to make some sacrifice for the sake of the common good. We must elect pragmatic rather than a dogmatic leader who could stand firm in critical moments.

The decision on how to stem the sweeping tide of political apathy and how the situation can be remedied is a moral imperative of every UIte. We must purge the traits of indifference, nonchalance and all forms of political apathy. Although the old backward way of thinking is too deep-rooted to be eradicated overnight, we must struggle to ensure that the next election is not another wasted one.