Road to Ken Saro Wiwa Building; Of Banners and Posters, Carcade and Flyers

By Ayanfe Oluwafemi

Of the numerous non-academic activities mostly explored by Nigerian students, campus politics is significant and, of course, an important activity for students interested in leadership and politics. It serves as an avenue for young political enthusiasts to showcase their leadership prowess among their peers. Student politics on Nigerian campuses is generally referred to as the Students' Union.

In Nigerian universities, including Obafemi Awolowo University, there are several political positions or offices available for students across all levels, ranging from being a class representative as a 100-level student to becoming an executive or a member of the Students' Representative Council at the halls of residence, department, faculties and the Students’ Union at large.

As inevitable as Students' Unions are, the process of campaigning and publicity as it is in Obafemi Awolowo University at the moment come ls with expenses that an average student or a student who is not financially buoyant may not afford. The Students' Union Election at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife follows a process similar to a normal democratic election in Nigeria. 

Aspirants for any political post/office need to purchase a nomination form, campaign, present a manifesto, and be democratically elected and declared the winner of the electoral posts they contested for. Though the cost of purchasing forms in departments, faculties or Students’ Union in other institutions might be on a higher side, in Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union Elections which comprise of the Hall Executives Council, Central Executives Council and the Students’ Representative Council, the nomination form is #200.

While the nomination form maybe affording, considering the current economic challenges in Nigeria, the form of campaigning and recreating solid awareness require solid finances or sponsors. According to a survey, each aspirant for political positions at OAU, especially at the Central Executive Council, is expected to have a solid campaign team, print handbills, agent tags, banners, and posters for awareness. In terms of the campaign, many will rent a public address system or speakers and logistics to mobilize, attract, and influence the electorate. They also need to purchase starch for pasting posters and find a friend or someone who will work for them by serving as their agents in the polling units, taking care of their feedings and welfare. Some go as far as creating social media contents, embarking on carcade which require renting and fueling of cars, purchasing of shirts and caps amongst other means of creating publicity.

No aspirant will want to contest for a position using just one campaign banner; four or more banners of different sizes are needed for various campaigns, each incurring fees. In my opinion, aspirants for a position on the Central Executive Council would spend nothing less than ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 or even more during the election process.

Putting all these costs together in the current economy is a significant task. Banners cost ₦8,000 or more, depending on size. Some agents charge ₦5,000 or more, depending on the type of relationship they have with the aspirants. All other aforementioned campaign items are also expensive.

With all these expenses, getting elected into office is never easy unless aspirants run unopposed. Over the years, it has been a fierce competition among candidates; ironically, factors like big banners, popularity, or loud campaigns do not guarantee success.

Campaign banners and posters of various sizes are scattered all over campus as well as off-campus. The Hall Executives Council Elections took place on Saturday, June 22, 2024, where new executives were elected across all the eight undergraduate halls of residence. The highly anticipated and competitive Central Executive Council Election is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, 2024, with all eligible voters expected to cast their votes at their respective faculty polling units.