By Comrade, Oseghale Elebhosa
Ambrose Alli University (AAU) witnessed a major student protest last week following the suspension of the Students’ Union election. The election, which was scheduled to hold, was abruptly halted, sparking outrage among the student body.
Allegations Against University Leadership
Students accused the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eunice Omonzeje, and the Dean of Students, Professor Efosa, of manipulating the electoral process to favor their preferred candidates. The suspension of the election was seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine democratic participation on campus.
Escalation of Protest
The peaceful protest escalated when the Vice Chancellor invited armed policemen onto the university campus. Students condemned this action, arguing that it violated both National Universities Commission (NUC) guidelines and internal school regulations, which discourage the use of armed forces in resolving campus disputes ( the photos attached ).
Students’ Demands
The protesting students alleged that the Vice Chancellor is running the institution in an authoritarian manner, likening her administration to a military dictatorship. They emphasized that students are not merely learners but also stakeholders in the university’s governance, with representation in both Senate and Council committees.
The students have called on the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to:
Immediately remove the Vice Chancellor.
Investigate the suspension of the Students’ Union election.
Ensure accountability in the university’s administration.
From an engineering governance perspective, the failure to conduct a simple ICT-based test and conduct of the election reflects poor systems management and inadequate technological deployment. Politically, the suppression of student democracy undermines institutional credibility and risks destabilizing the academic environment.
The students insist that the government and the University Governing Council must discipline the Vice Chancellor for externalizing a peaceful protest and inviting armed policemen onto campus. They argue that such actions erode trust, violate academic freedom, and contradict the principles of university autonomy.
The Ambrose Alli University protest highlights the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic processes within Nigerian higher institutions. The students’ demands reflect a broader call for reform and adherence to both national and institutional regulations.