Causes and Consequences: Decline of Political Participation in AFAS

Moruf Lawal

Shortly after the conclusion of the recent by-election conducted on April 17, 2025 to fill the vacant positions of the Treasurer and Financial Secretary in the Association of Faculty Of Arts’ Students, The chairman of the electoral college, Ayodele Akinkunmi decried the spirit of low competition that characterised the election. “It is disturbing to know that people are not open to service”, he lamented. “There are people with the capacity who don’t know they have it, and also people who have local experience who shy away from trying for something on a higher level. Then we also have the issue of apathy”.

In essence, AFAS used to be an embodiment of both intellectual and political vibrancy. However, the latter is at its lowest ebb. Today, the political consciousness is rare and it has become fragmented, if not entirely shredded. The malaise did not start today. It is only getting worse. In the build up to the AFAS Elections conducted in 2017/2018 session, AFAS press reported that “the executive posts were begging for aspirants”.

For years, politics in AFAS has been a domain dominated by political indifference, with political positions often contested unopposed. As a result, more often than not, elections have been replaced with selection. A position usually contested by multiple candidates is now fractured into a tiny bit of interested candidates. In the last two sessions, A presidential candidate – Olaniyi Esther, emerged winner unopposed. Thanks to the disqualification of her contender. Fast forward to this session, Another presidential candidate emerged, unopposed.

Without a speckle of doubt, it is indisputable that a candidate without any opposition has already won the election. He/She only needs to “cook” or resurrect the manifesto of the past.This pattern of indifference to the political office signals a disturbing trend and shift in the political terrain of the faculty, according to Mr Olasoji Akindejoye, a onetime speaker of AFAS FLC. “The political landscape used to buzz with enthusiasm”, he recalled the election that ushered in Isaac Lijadu- led administration with multiple candidates vying for each executive position. “We used to have 4 or 5 candidates contesting for each position”.

What then changed the narrative?

Embezzlement of Funds

The actions and inactions of the students’ leaders in the past had a far-reaching effect on the mentality of the present generation. “They laid the foundation for the political apathy and made political participation unattractive to those coming behind”, Olasoji noted. He continued, tracing the root cause of political apathy in AFAS to the chain of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds of the association. “ Lijadu was found guilty of embezzlement of #300,000 and was eventually suspended by the institution”. He recalled.

As if that was not enough, the following administration also witnessed mismanagement of funds. He said “During Simple’s tenure, the vice-president of the association mismanaged #960,000”. Due to the recurring embezzlement of funds and unaccountable leaders in the past, students felt discouraged from participating in the political activities of the faculty

Poor Leadership

Another factor that contributed to political apathy in AFAS is poor leadership. “Over the years, students have gradually withdrawn from participating in political activities and this disengagement can be traced back to a history of poor leadership that has alienated students from the political process,” said Ola Samuel, member of AFAS FLC representing the Philosophy constituency. “I have not witnessed a single administration that has effectively served the students since I became a student here, and I know many of my peers share the same sentiment.”

According to him, AFAS leaders have failed in protecting the interests of AFASites. “If we would be sincere with ourselves, the political administration in this faculty no longer serves the interests of the students, and as a result, many students have lost faith in our political system. I say this because this has been the case since I joined the faculty as a freshman in January 2022.” He decried the trend of sole candidacy which has become a new normal in AFAS Elections. He said, “Ironically, the most frequently contested office over the years has been that of the Assistant General Secretary, which is one of the lowest-ranking executive positions. This is likely because fresh students often run for the role, and being new to the faculty, they have not yet been disillusioned by the pervasive political indifference.”

“In some elections, candidates have won executive positions with votes amounting to less than 30% of the total student population in the faculty. It’s hard to consider such outcomes as truly representative. This lack of engagement leads to the election of unpopular leaders and individuals who remain unknown to the average student,” Ola Samuel explained.

Also, he described the refusal to inaugurate Blessing as part of the Mojuba-led administration as a significant factor that could discourage students from vying for political positions in the faculty. “Imagine how it sounds for the electoral council of our faculty to announce sales of forms for executive positions, and after getting your forms, campaigned, screened by the press and electoral committee and voted by majority of voters, you’re then informed that your position is not valid due to the case of an unapproved constitution which makes provision for your aspired office so you were denied of inauguration.”

Academics over Politics

In an institution where excellent academic performance is duly recognised and competition to top the class is the order of the day, most students prioritise their primary assignment on campus, leaving the helms of affairs to the hands of few who manipulate the chance to build their own castle at the expense of the students’ welfarism.

Recurring political crisis has weaken the strength of political activeness, preventing students to attract management’s attention. Hence, AFASites have adopted the mentality of “I just wan graduate in peace”. AFAS politics is synonymous with “intellectual trouble”. There has been several instances of power tussle between the executive and the legislative councils. In the last two sessions, constitution amendment led to a constitutional crisis between both arms. It took the intervention of the faculty management to douse the tension. Also, the last administration witnessed a series of disregard to the constitution and the resolutions of the legislative council by the Mojuba-led administration.

Solutions.

At the core of encouraging active participation of AFASites to take up leadership role is to reignite the political consciousness of AFASites,there should be a political education and awareness for students, most essentially, 100 Level and 200 Level students. This can be achieved through seminars or workshops as it would help students understand their stake in the political activities of the faculty and inspire them to effect a meaningful change. Frequent engagement of students with political leadership across departments will give hope of expressing their desire to actively be part of the political process. Motivation is another vital tool that can spark political participation. Students’ leaders should organise a leadership summit where they invite political office holders are to speak and motivate AFASites. For example, the special adviser to Oyo state governor on students’ matters, Hon Victor Olojede, was once a member of AFAS FLC. A word of motivation from the category of individuals will change the apathy toward politics.

Accountability, transparency and responsive leadership are traits that must be upheld by the students’ leaders. The leaders must be openly accountable to AFASites, especially in the course of implementation of budget. The faculty legislative council must also intensify the publicity of the notification of sitting to allow attendance of AFASites as observers, giving them a sense of belonging. Qualifications for each position hinder some AFASites from vying for an elective position. FLC should table the concern to the faculty management to revisit the provisions of qualifications for each executive position so as to allow popular participation during election. There should be an end to the era of unopposed candidate.

The competitiveness of election would in a long way, assure a moral as well as political rectitude, thereby allowing voters to cherry-pick the competent hands from charlatans. With this, it would help AFASites to spot contenders with pure and good intentions. Until qualified hands are removed from being pocketed and competent arms are unfolded, AFAS will continue to wallow in the ocean of political apathy.