SHOCKING: Open Letter Written By The Former AG SUG FPO.

RESPECTING FED POLY OKO SUG CONSTITUTION

The disqualification of 13 students aspiring for various positions into the Student Union Government (SUG) 2017/2018 section by the Director of Students' Affairs (DSA), and the silencing of the SUG constitution is fast deteriorating to the level of anarchy. The office of the DSA is plagued by allegations of bias and abuse of power.

Last month, 13 students were disqualified from aspiring for a position into SUG Federal polytechnic,Oko. The disqualification which came about 48 hours before the election.

Detail of the reasons for the disqualification was on ground that the 13 aspirants were not able to make up to 3.00 CGPA in their National Diploma (ND), of which was never a criteria for holding any office in the Student Union Government, as prescribed by the constitution.

The provision of Article XIV, section II sub (C)  of Federal Polytechnic Oko SUG constitution, 2015 as Amended, stipulates pre-election procedures specialy as it affects qualification in the first instance, for eligibility to vie for any position in SUG; which states therein that any aspirant vying for a position should have "at least 3.00 GPA in the semester that precedes the election" and NOT the National Diploma result.

In light of this, we were also meant to know that the DSA did not inaugurate any electoral tribunal for the purpose of the said election, which is contrary to Article XIV, section V, sub 1(a) and (b) of the said constitution.

We note that the students affected tried to raise the constitution, but they were shunned.

The  Attorney General of the Student Union, Hon Barr. Osuchuo Oluchi, P. (Rotr), SAS, SAP, also wrote to notify some top bodies of the polytechnic, but was ignored. Only few promised to set up a panel of enquiry to look into the matter.

We are however, not enthusiastic about this promise because most times, it doesn't yield positive result considering the time frame.

We also view the unconstitutional disqualification of the 13 student aspirants as unbridled display of highhandedness, subversion of due processes, jettisoning of constitutional procedures, denial of rights, unfair and unjust treatment which would never happen in an institution governed according to the rule of law.

We  Urge the governing council of the institution to remind the DSA of his responsibilities in terms of maintenance of law and order.

The DSA also need to be made to know that the SUG constitution should be respected section by sections for the growth and progress of the struggle for Aluta Spirit.

...................................................
   BY OKANIMEE CHRISTIAN, C.
        

Donnie Saico Media