NASS-LASU ELECTION DESCENDS INTO CHAOS AMID OMOBA DISQUALIFICATION CONTROVERSY

The electoral process of the Nigerian Association of Science Students, Lagos State University chapter (NASS-LASU), was thrown into confusion on Tuesday after the association’s election was disrupted amid controversies surrounding the disqualification of a presidential aspirant, Comr. Taiwo Oluwadamilare, popularly known as Omoba, from the Department of Mathematics.

The election, which was expected to usher in new leaders for the association, reportedly descended into chaos and was later postponed following concerns raised by students over the decision of the Independent Electoral Committee (IEC) to proceed despite an ongoing court matter linked to Omoba’s disqualification.

The controversy surrounding Omoba’s candidacy reportedly dates back to events preceding the inauguration of the 35th NASS-LASU administration.

Speaking during an interview with LASU Conscience, Omoba, who currently serves as Welfare Director, alleged that the genesis of the issue stemmed from disagreements between himself and the association’s president over the production of laboratory coats and student identification cards. According to him, the responsibility constitutionally falls under the office of the Welfare Director, but attempts were allegedly made to sideline his office from the process.

He explained that despite the disagreement, he proceeded with the production process and collected payments through Heads of Classes (HOCs). He further alleged that upon discovering that payments had been made to him, the president requested that the funds be remitted to the association’s account. However, according to him, production had already commenced.

The matter was later taken to the Staff Adviser and subsequently escalated, leading to meetings involving faculty stakeholders, vendors, and student leaders in an attempt to resolve the issue. Omoba further alleged that after the matter was taken to the Dean of Student Affairs (DSA), both parties were invited for deliberation.

“And the DSA stated clearly that all production of lab coats and ID cards should be handed over to me since constitutionally that is within the purview of my office,” he said.

According to Omoba, although the issue appeared settled at that stage, tensions resurfaced after the administration’s inauguration. He alleged that during an executive sitting, discussions surrounding the same issue resurfaced despite earlier interventions. This reportedly led to disagreements during the sitting and eventually resulted in the suspension of the Sports Director after attempts were made to move discussions away from the controversy.

The Welfare Director further claimed that another sitting was later organised where he and the president were summoned to address the issue again. However, he alleged that he was not given sufficient opportunity to fully explain his position before disciplinary actions were taken against him, leading to his suspension.

Speaking further, Omoba claimed that despite interventions from the DSA, who reportedly opposed the decision, the suspension remained in effect and lasted 26 days before he was eventually reinstated following petitions and further intervention.

He also levelled allegations against another presidential aspirant, Comr. Abiodun Folorunsho Habeeb, who currently serves as Secretary of the association, claiming that the aspirant was involved in a physical altercation during a budget sitting.

“This my secretary caused violence in the house and also slapped a female honourable, and there are witnesses to back this up, but nothing was done,” he alleged.

Speaking on the election process, Omoba explained that after initially being cleared by the Independent Audit Committee (IAC), he proceeded for IEC screening. He alleged that he was later invited for another round of screening where issues surrounding his suspension resurfaced.

According to him, the IEC presented documents suggesting that his suspension was linked to allegations of fund misappropriation before he was eventually declared unqualified to contest.

The development generated reactions among students, particularly among his supporters, who questioned the legitimacy of the decision and demanded further explanation. The controversy later escalated after the matter was reportedly taken before the LASUSU High Court.

Students who spoke with LASU Conscience questioned why the election proceeded despite pending deliberations.

One student said:

“The court said they should not hold the election, and the case has been taken to the LASUSU High Court. Deliberation is on Friday, yet they still went ahead to conduct the election. Since the court has not given a final decision, why did they proceed?”

Further allegations also surfaced regarding irregularities during the election process.

Several students alleged that the name of one of the Social Director aspirants was omitted from the ballot paper during voting. LASU Conscience gathered confirmations from multiple students who claimed the candidate’s name was absent during the process.

Another source further alleged that an IEC official was seen dipping his hand into the ballot box during the exercise, an allegation that further heightened tensions among students already dissatisfied with the conduct of the election.

Combined with the already tense atmosphere surrounding Omoba’s disqualification and the pending court matter, the election venue reportedly became increasingly hostile as arguments and confrontations escalated among students.

Shortly after voting activities commenced, confusion reportedly erupted at the venue, eventually leading to physical confrontations and disruption of the exercise.

The situation reportedly required the intervention of the Dean of Student Affairs, who later moved to cancel and postpone the election.

As of press time, the IEC had not publicly responded to concerns surrounding Omoba’s disqualification, allegations of irregularities during the election, or questions regarding its decision to proceed with the process despite the pending court matter.

Efforts by LASU Conscience to obtain the committee’s perspective proved unsuccessful.

The postponement now leaves several questions hanging over the credibility of the electoral process:

Why was the election conducted amid unresolved legal proceedings?

Were proper electoral procedures followed during the exercise?

And more importantly, can confidence in the process remain intact after an election intended to produce leaders ended in controversy, allegations, and chaos?

LASU Conscience will continue to monitor developments surrounding the matter and provide further updates in the coming days.