LASUSU: WHY ARE THE GODFATHERS NOT TAKING BACK SEATS

📝Samuel Olomu, Erstwhile Editor-in-chief, LASU Conscience

Let me tell you the story of how Mr. A built a network of loyalists and used his influence to install student leaders across the students’ union government in exchange for loyalty, power and splendor. Mr. A has built a citadel to nurture the next generation of politicians at Lagos State University but, instead of mentoring these students correctly, he decides who dictates the tune. He decides who gets what, when and how. He determines their future instead of helping to shape them.

Unfortunately, Mr. A is not the only one involved in this business of kingmaking. Other highly respected individuals within the university community have also engaged in similar practices, using their influence and connections to install their preferred candidates in positions of power.

These figures, despite their outward reputations, often prioritize loyalty and personal gain over genuine leadership development. As a result, the cycle of patronage and control continues to undermine the true purpose of student governance, leaving many talented and deserving students sidelined while the ambitions of a few shape the future of the institution.

On a broader spectrum, Nigeria has a huge leadership gap, and this has exacerbated several socio-economic crises as they are being witnessed today. Unfortunately, the university environment, which should be known for promoting diverse ideas and a level playing field for young people, has been bastardized by heinous politicking.

The height of this insubordination is that University alumni who are supposed to sit in the comfort of their house make their way to school to influence the electoral process. This is a show of shame that has been disguised as a system at the Lagos State University Student Union.

In a democratic setting, student unionism is meant to reflect the values of accountability, independence, and genuine representation. However, at Lagos State University (LASU), concerns are growing over the increasing influence of “godfathers” in the affairs of the Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU).

These individuals, often past leaders or politically connected figures, are allegedly shaping the outcome of elections, dictating policy decisions, and undermining the independence of current union executives.

The question many students are asking is: Why are the godfathers not stepping aside?

To be clear, not all guidance from past leaders is bad per se. There is something to be said for ensuring that the alumni keep the legs of continuity, guidance, and institutional memory up. Somehow, there is too thin a line between mentorship and manipulation. When advice becomes orders and especially then, if the former president starts acting as a shadow president-then the whole democratic basis of the union is under threat.

The real danger then is in the culture of current leaders being made puppets while the union is turned into a recycling ground for the shenanigans of a handful of power brokers. Such an environment breeds no accountability; decisions get made not on the very needs of the students but the whims of the groups behind the scenes.

The implications of godfatherism in student politics have far-reaching effects. It kills the trust students have in the electoral process. There is no room for innovation and new ideas. Under godfatherism, the Students’ reputation degenerates to being merely a political playhouse.When union executives owe allegiance to these unelected figures it becomes very difficult to act in the best interest of the student body especially when that might conflict with the interest of his godfather.

Why should university staff XYZ influence student elections when students have no say in theirs? This undermines the credibility of the electoral system and fosters weak governance. For example, I overheard some students complaining that the faculty XYZ election was rigged. They claimed to have seen a bundle of ballot papers found in the ballot box. It was almost laughable when the IEC chairman responded by saying that no bulk was found, only 50 ballot papers. But the question remains: isn’t fifty still a bundle?

Manipulation is deeply entrenched in the fabric of the LASUSU electoral system.

Almost every faculty has voiced concerns about rigged elections. I firmly believe this issue demands urgent attention, as the flawed practices within LASUSU risk being replicated by these students once they leave the university’s walls.

And this is not, strictly, a conclusion, rather it is an appeal. To those kingmakers sitting comfortably in their various offices, permitting their whims to decide the fate of student leaders of Lagos State University, it is now time to take a step back so that real leadership can evolve.

For the future of LASUSU and indeed the leadership pipeline in Nigeria must be based on nurturing independence, accountability, and the ideals of representing the voice of the people as opposed to extending the cycle of patronage and control. With the godfathers still staying ahead of the game to stamp out new ideas and stifle fresh voices, they may just end up killing the student union in terms of its legitimacy and respect.

Students deserve something better, they deserve a system where leadership is decided by merit, vision, and dedication, not by whose puppet they are behind the scenes. When these kingmakers are willing to let go of the reins and appropriately nurture, only then will they mold a new generation of leaders-a generation that grows beyond the shadows of their predecessors to build a more transparent, inclusive, and vibrant university environment.