Crisis Rocks Ekiti Varsity Alumni Over Endorsement Of APC Gov Candidate

By Ayodele Oni

For dabbling into politics, a member of Ekiti State University, (EKSU) Alumni association has threatened to withdraw his membership of the Alumni.

Alumni associations of institutions are formed by old students to ensure development of their former alma mater in the provision of infrastructure and education standard.

A former member of Nigerian Youth Parliament, Olatunde Ajirotutu noted that EKSU alumni has deviated by endorsing one of the Governorship candidates in the June election.

He described the purported endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, by the EKSU Alumni Association as “ignoble and preposterous”, saying the present leadership of the association was only out to destroy it with “reckless display of partisanship.”

Ajirotutu, a graduate of EKSU, announced the immediate withdrawal of his membership of the Alumni Association, calling on other graduates of the University to rise in defense of the integrity of the association.

“It is highly preposterous and ignoble that some executive members of an association formed on the basic principles of protecting the interests  of her members has taken a partial decision in supporting a Gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming election where more than one alumnus is contesting.

“The Ekiti State University Alumni Association has been known for her exemplary records proven over years, agitating for the interest of her members in matters affecting them.

“The narratives are changing in recent times when the Alumni went mute on the ignoble and obnoxious decision of the Management orchestrated by the Governing council to retrench Academic Staffs of our beloved Institution.

“It is interesting to know that some victims of this decision (mass retrenchment of academic staffs) are alumni of our great university and up till now, the association failed to agitate for her members’ interest.”A very appalling situation was recorded when the Alumni drummed support for the Gubernatorial Candidate of the ruling party in the state.

“The candidate fortunately is a member of the Governing Council that retrenched massively Academic Staffs who are members of the alumni association.

“If conventional restrictions don’t prevail that the alumni should be neutral in taking such political decision that is detrimental to the state, the university community at large, moral conscience should.

“As a bonafide member of the Alumni Association, who has duly fulfilled his financial obligations towards the sustainability of the body, I entreat the leadership of the Alumni to refrain from such ignoble and unpleasant act that can tarnish the image of the association and embrace neutrality in the coming elections.

“Else, I withdraw my membership and call on all well meaning graduates who posses the verified certificates of our Alma Mater to condemn this selfish and inconsiderate decision of the leadership to throw support behind an aspirant.”

A former president of the association, now Registrar of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Dr E.T. Babatola in his reaction stated that “It is a very uncharitable idea for any of our member to protest the collective efforts to encourage our prospective members gunning for political office.

“It is even worse to resign because we don’t share the same idea about the great vision ahead of us. There is nothing bad if EKSU Alumni Association encourage members to participate in politics and if we give solidarity to their aspirations.

“Such solidarity did not start today and only those who do not share in the idea or views can raise dust or resign their membership even though they failed to drop EKSU Certificates.

“We should be more tolerant and accommodating rather than being partisan and sheepish about our attitude to the choices we make.

“There is no permanent friend or enemy in politics but permanent interest. If any candidate is our graduate and has our interest at heart, is it a crime to support same?

“We need key players and influencers in Government affairs of Ekiti and beyond. If we are not there, we can’t be part of the decision makers.

“Unfortunately, if a member is unhappy that we support one of our distinguished alumnus to contest, I wonder. When are we going to grow? What a level of bitterness or bile! Why are people in EKSU Alumni behaving as if we are enemies!

“No one has the monopoly of blackmail or the power to destroy the legacy we are building for the future of the University and the development of Ekiti State.

“Where we need to carry everyone along, let us do so. Those who have other intentions are free to do what they want without dividing or drawing back the house of EKSU Alumni.”