The Alumni members of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), staged a protest today, 17th of November, 2024, condemning what they called "imposition and election manipulation" in the recently concluded convocation election. The protest, which started at the Total Roundabout, made its way towards the Vice Chancellor's Office, with protesters carrying placards demanding action from the university administration.
The central issue fueling the protest is the belief that the election process was manipulated, with one candidate allegedly being imposed on the Alumni, thereby disenfranchising over 90% of legitimate voters. Alumni members expressed frustration that a free and fair election was not allowed to take place, undermining their rights to choose their representatives.
Among the prominent figures leading the protest were Comrade Clinton Ogbonna, an alumnus from the Department of Political Science, and Omego Bonaventure Chigozie, another proud graduate of the institution. Both were vocal in their condemnation of the alleged injustices and voiced their commitment to ensuring that the concerns of the Alumni were heard and acted upon.
Speaking to Naija Media Trends News Reporters present at the protest, Comrade Clinton Ogbonna, a former student leader at UNN, emphasized the gravity of the situation. "The protest continues until all these concerns are adequately addressed by all concerned individuals," he said firmly. Ogbonna, who has since gone on to serve as an Ambassador, further elaborated on the protestors' key demands.
The Alumni are calling for the University of Nigeria Nsukka to conduct a transparent and credible election, ensuring that all candidates are given an equal opportunity to contest. They also demand that all eligible alumni members, regardless of their graduation year, be granted the right to vote in future elections, without the interference of university security personnel.
The protesters also insist that the body conducting the elections must adhere to proper constitutional processes, including holding a meeting where a motion could be moved by Alumni members to decide whether to proceed with the election. In addition, they called for the removal of the ICT firm responsible for conducting the election, which they claim is not recognized by the institution. The firm, which many protesters referred to as a "kangaroo" operation, was accused of playing a key role in the manipulation of the election process.
The Alumni further demand that the registration process for future elections be made open to all members, ensuring fairness and accessibility for every graduate of the institution. Finally, they insist that the Vice Chancellor should not impose a candidate on the Alumni, as such actions directly contradict the university's foundational principle of "Restoring the Dignity of Man." As one protester put it, "There is absolutely nothing dignifying about manipulation and injustice."
The protestors made their way toward the Vice Chancellor's office, the message was clear: they would not back down until their demands were met. "We stand for justice, fairness, and the dignity of the Alumni community," Comr. Ogbonna concluded.
The protest ended at the gates of the Vice Chancellor’s office, but the fight for a fair election at UNN continues.
