The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of Obafemi Awolowo University has dissociated itself from the recent press release of the Great Ife Students’ Union Central Executive Council (CEC), which declared a state of emergency regarding the conduct of Computer-Based Tests (CBTs) following persistent long queues, poor coordination, technical failures, and numerous complaints from the students.
According to the SRC, the CEC’s justification for declaring a state of emergency and requesting an extension of the academic calendar was based on the aforementioned issues. However, they insist that this move violated the Union’s constitutional provisions, as the SRC was not formally informed of the decision, meaning it neither deliberated on nor approved the resolution before it was made public by the CEC.
‘The SRC finds it necessary to issue this rejoinder pursuant to its constitutional mandate to clarify facts, correct misconceptions, and preserve institutional order,’ the press release stated.
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Furthermore, the SRC asserted that the Great Ife Students’ Union cannot unilaterally assume the collective authority of the Union on matters of general application, as it is established as a composite body composed of the Central Executive Council (CEC), Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Hall Executive Councils (HEC), and the Judicial Council (JC), referencing Article I, Section 1(5) of the Great Ife Students’ Union Constitution.
More significantly, the SRC noted that legislative authority and student-wide representation are vested in the Council by Article II, Section 5 of the Constitution, which reserves decisions affecting the general body of students, particularly those relating to examinations and academic calendars.
‘Where procedure is ignored, legitimacy is lost,’ the SRC declared.
In addition, the House resolved that any proposal seeking an extension of the academic calendar or the suspension or postponement of CBTs must be subjected to congressional deliberation in line with constitutional requirements.
In exercising its oversight functions, the SRC further directed the President of the Great Ife Students’ Union to convene a Students’ Congress to address the growing concerns affecting students’ academics and the broader university community.
Subsequently, the SRC also raised concerns over a proposed inter-faculty debate reportedly initiated by the Office of the President, which it claimed has placed the Union in public disrepute. According to the SRC, the proposal was undertaken without prior correspondence, briefing, or approval from the House and is contrary to constitutional provisions.
‘All stakeholders and Great Ife students are hereby informed that these actions are traceable to a single office and must not be misconstrued as resolutions of the SRC or the collective will of the Great Ife Students’ Union,’ the SRC stated.
The SRC reaffirmed its commitment to constitutionalism, transparency, and faithful representation of the student body of Great Ife, emphasising that the Union’s constitution remains sacrosanct on all matters affecting students.
As Great Ife students continue to struggle with the arising issues concerning the Computer-Based Test, all eyes are now on whether a Students’ Congress will be convened as demanded by the SRC and how the Union’s leadership will be constitutionally united in front of the university authorities regarding the arising issues and students’ complaints.