UNIABUJA SUG ELECTION AGAIN - Analysis

Students Unionism at the University of Abuja has taken a strong dimension and up to prominence even beyond the University as the Students Union commands strong regard before the management.

Even at the level of NANS, University of Abuja Students Union leadership arrival at all times trigger attention of all. The SUG President Comr. Pelumi eloquent, vibrant and charismatic delivery is another thing to mention.

However, one major concern today with the prepared exit of the current SUG President of the University of Abuja is that who will succeed him. What will be the new UNIABUJA SUG President. While so many students have expressed worry that none of the aspirants can meet up with the current President or can be slightly compared to him, however Who is capable of winning the election and performed remain the interest. Will the new UNIABUJA SUG President be able to sustain the current standard, will he be able to surpass the present President. These are questions begging for serious answers. Let me therefore take you on a voyage on the present political situation.

Contesting in University of Abuja is like contesting for the Nigerian President because there are a lot of interests and factors that shapes the politics amongst which are language or region, religion, exposure, competence, personality, character, influence and finance unfortunately language and religion takes prominence a major challenge also in our larger society.

About six students have indicated interest in the position of the SUG President, while campaign is not officially on yet, aspirants are beginning to consult and mobilize support for the task ahead.

Out of the about six aspirants only three are believed may go to the polls. They are known with the following names as brand Seyi Teggy, Abu-jackson and Ahmed Schumaka.

Seyi Teggy. Seyi is a very strong candidate in the coming election and is believed to be the most experienced. He has contested and won in the SUG election before. He is the current PRO of the SUG and only Comrade in the race. Seyi has lived in the hostel for two years before and he appears to be on ground more in terms of popularity. He is a chemistry student, faculty of science, he might however have to confront challenges within his faculty as there are other contestants from the faculty of science. Seyi is yoruba and will benefit from the tribe solidarity but he will need the igbo support to win easily. Seyi is a christian and strong member of the RFC, one of the largest campus fellowship in UniAbuja which will also serve as advantage for him. Seyi appears to be the only candidate now with huge support in both the mini and main campus. Seyi is believed to be the preferred candidate of the current President and that will served as great advantage for him as the current administration has set up high standard for the union, however that will also earn him numbers of enemies particularly the opposition of the current SUG President. Seyi has wide political cover and is chance of winning the election is very bright. Seyi has been criticized to be small in stature compared to others, however the current President Pelumi and Gen. Sec. both are not looking different. He has 60% chance in an early observation.

Abu-Jackson. Abu is a major candidate that can not be under estimated in the coming election. Abu is a student of Political science, faculty of social science and he enjoys support of students because of his sound political moves. He is a Muslim northerner and strong member of Gamji. If adopted by Gamji which is the forum of all the northern states then he will have a stronger base in the election. While some students are speculating that he might eventually step down because he does not enjoy the support of the major power players in Gamji and major political leader from his department and northern students forum,Bello Yar'Adua who lost the presidential election to Comr. Pelumi in the last election with a very wide margin; he has however shown seriousness and determination in pursuing his target. Source closed to him confirmed that he will not step down for any reason. Abu-jackson is a good mobilizer with strong army of supporters across the various faculty and his chance of becoming the next SUG President is bright, however, Abu seem to share the same support base with Ahmed Schumaka. He will give a better fight to victory if he can get Igbos to adopt him. He has 50% chance of winning.

Ahmed Schumaka. Ahmed Schumaka is no doubt another interesting character that will add glamour to the election. Schumaka is a student of the most populous faculty, faculty of education and If capitalized on would be an advantage, though past record shows that the faculty add the lowest turn out in the last election. Schumaka is a Muslim and northerner believed to be the blessed candidate of the Northern students leader, Yar'Adua who lost election to the incumbent President. He will no doubt enjoy the Muslim solidarity which is a very strong one. However there are contradicting opinions about is acceptance as some stakeholders of Gamji feels he might not be marketable when compared to Abu-jackson as his disposition does not show that of a unionist just like his boss. Schumaka appears to be a major candidate whose finances would be of much advantage to him. Schumaka is currently a member of the SUG parliament that belong to the speaker caucus which also is an added strength however he has been criticized not to be vibrant in the house but has been a passive member in the house which will also earn strong opposition from the other caucus believed to be that of the President. Schumaka chance of winning is bright if he can get Abu-jackson to step down for him. He has 35% chances of winning at the moment.

We will keep following the development and update you as all the candidates progress in the election.

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