CSM Condemns Delay in University of Ibadan’s 2026 Union Election, Describes It An Attack on the Union

 

By Adewale Amoo

The Concerned Students Movement (CSM) has condemned the delay in the commencement of the 2026 University of Ibadan Students’ Union (UI’S Union) leadership transition process, describing it as an attack on the Union.

In a press release dated September 6, 2026, and signed by its Coordinator, Feranmi Gabriel, and Secretary, Omolaye Emmanuel, the Movement expressed concern that the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic session was already more than eight weeks old and nearing its end without the commencement of the electoral process. The CSM said the election should be conducted within a reasonable timeframe to give students enough opportunity to engage aspirants, examine their ideas and programmes and make informed decisions about those seeking to represent them.

“As a pro-rights movement, we of the Concerned Students Movement (CSM) vehemently condemn the continued delay to commence and conduct the UI'SU 2026 transition election,” the Movement stated. The group also criticised the arrangement that places the conduct of the Students’ Union election in the hands of the institution’s Deputy Registrar and Dean of Students. It argued that the arrangement limits students’ independence in managing their Union affairs and creates room for manipulation of the electoral process.

The CSM further rejected the explanation that the election should come after the estimated N36 million Union Week programme, describing the argument as “unacceptable and fundamentally flawed.” According to the Movement, an independently conducted election would not interfere with the day-to-day administration of the Union by outgoing representatives. It also challenged the suggestion that students are incapable of organising their own election. The CSM argued that the more than 33,000 students on campus have the capacity to organise a transparent electoral process without external interference, describing the contrary position as “a false and patronising narrative.”

The Movement called on undergraduate and postgraduate students to reject the delay and any suggestion that students cannot conduct their elections transparently. It urged students to prevail on the John Oludele-led Students’ Representative Council and the Adeboye Temidayo-led Executive Committee to convene a general meeting where the reasons for the delay and the way forward could be discussed. The CSM also called on affiliate press organisations under the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ) to scrutinise the delay, which it described as an attack on students’ right to choose their representatives.

On campaign activities, the Movement criticised the defacing of campus spaces with campaign materials, describing the practice as “an environmental injustice.” It urged aspirants to focus on issue-based campaigns addressing students’ challenges.

The CSM finally called on students to hold all aspirants to standards that reflect the radical, progressive and democratic traditions of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union.