A dramatic protest erupted in Nsukka on Tuesday as over 1,000 alumni of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), marched to voice their discontent with the alleged imposition of a candidate, Chukwuemeka Udoh, in the university’s convocation election.
The protesters, holding placards with messages like “UNN Alumni say no to abuse of power” and “We reject manipulation,” gathered at the Total Roundabout, a prominent location in the university town. The demonstrators called for the resignation of the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Polycarp Chigbu, accusing him of meddling with the election process and imposing a candidate on the alumni.
One of the leaders of the protest, Clinton Ogbonna, made his position clear, rejecting the imposition of Engr. Chukwuemeka Udoh as the convocation representative in the University’s Governing Council.
“This is a blatant abuse of power,” Ogbonna said. “The university should be a place where the will of the people is respected, not a platform for power-hungry individuals to manipulate their way to positions of influence.”
The protesters vowed to continue their demonstration, with a “mother of all protests” scheduled to start on Thursday. They declared that their actions would be a marathon until the situation was addressed.
Alumni Demand Fair Election Process
The protesters called for a transparent election process that would give all candidates a level playing field. Ogbonna urged General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), the Pro-Chancellor of the University, to step in and correct what they referred to as a clear case of electoral fraud.
“We want due process,” said Bonaventure Omego, another prominent protester. “The election must follow the university’s standing orders and be conducted fairly. We cannot allow an ICT firm, hired for this purpose, to run an election that isn’t even recognized by the university’s own rules.”
The protestors’ anger was rooted in the belief that the election had neither been conducted in person nor online as required by the university’s established procedures. According to their claims, the election was manipulated by Professor Chigbu, who allegedly unilaterally changed the rules without consulting the alumni or adhering to university guidelines.
Omego questioned the integrity of the process, adding, “The standing orders clearly state the procedures for the election, but these were ignored. We reject this ‘kangaroo election’ being imposed on us.”
Alumni Claim University Leadership Abused Power
The frustration among the alumni was further fueled by a petition they had sent earlier to General Nwachukwu, outlining their concerns. The petition, which was signed by members of the convocation, accused Professor Chigbu of unilaterally altering the election process without regard for the institution’s laws.
In the seven-page petition, which was made available to the media, the alumni demanded that the Pro-Chancellor intervene to reverse the changes introduced by the Acting Vice Chancellor.
“We urge the Pro-Chancellor to set aside the amendments made to the membership and voting procedures for the convocation representative election,” the petition read. “These changes were made without following the proper legal and institutional procedures, and we demand that they be declared null and void.”
The petitioners also raised concerns about two publications issued on November 19 and 20, 2024, which, they argued, contradicted the university’s standing orders. These publications, they claimed, were a direct violation of the rules governing the election and should be withdrawn.
The alumni stressed that the publication of November 7, 2024, which outlined the correct procedure for the election, should be followed. They insisted that any changes to the election process should be made only with proper consultation and adherence to Section 22 of the university’s standing orders.
UNN’s Reputation at Stake
The protest highlighted deep concerns among the alumni about the future of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a prestigious institution that has long been regarded as a breeding ground for Nigeria’s future leaders. The protestors argued that the university’s reputation was being tarnished by the actions of its current leadership.
“UNN has always been a place where leaders are made, not where power-hungry individuals manipulate the system for their own benefit,” said Ogbonna. “We cannot allow this kind of abuse to continue. The university’s name and the integrity of its processes are at risk.”
The alumni stressed that they were not against the university or the election process itself but were merely calling for a fair and transparent process in line with the institution’s established rules. They said that without such fairness, the university would risk losing the trust of its alumni and stakeholders.
University Leadership Faces Pressure
As tensions rise, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Polycarp Chigbu, has yet to publicly respond to the allegations. The university leadership is under increasing pressure from alumni, students, and members of the wider academic community to address the concerns raised by the protestors.
The Pro-Chancellor, General Ike Nwachukwu, has a critical role to play in resolving the crisis. His intervention could determine whether the university will restore order and ensure that the upcoming convocation elections are conducted fairly, or whether the institution will face an ongoing crisis that could harm its credibility.
Alumni Stand Firm on Their Demand for Justice
Despite the growing tension, the protesters remain firm in their stance. The alumni are determined to see the issue addressed and are prepared to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met. They have vowed to escalate their protests if necessary, calling on other members of the university community to join them in their fight for fairness and justice.
“We will not back down,” Ogbonna declared. “This is about the integrity of the university. We will continue to protest until the right thing is done.”
