The Students Representatives Assembly UDUS, had her first sitting of the new semester on the sixth day of May 2018, and it was a plenary full of drama.
As it was expected by many, it was a sitting where tough resolutions were made. The ‘press release’ by the house committee on media and publicity few weeks ago, declaring the elongation of Jatau bridge unconstitutional had signaled a coming democratic battle between the executive and the lawmakers. And in this one, it was the executives that went home with three suspended men.
The SU president Shehu Kalgo, bagged a four weeks stay away from office, for proceeding with an unapproved project by the Assembly. Well, we believe the president should not be shocked by the suspension, just like we are not. The SU constitution is very clear about the power of the lawmakers. They should not be outmaneuvered, especially when the house comprises members that are eager to exercise their constitutional powers.
The SRA also claimed the president boycotted the Dean of students affairs in securing funds. Someone needs to tutor the president on following procedures, because it is obvious he came unprepared. These are avoidable mistakes.
The Welfare Director was suspended on the ground that he spent beyond what was approved by the house for the Kwankwasiya project. He should have known that the lawmakers were still available to make another approval before going ahead to touch extra funds. If it is formal, it should be strictly formal.
The Financial Secretary was not even available to answer questions the house had for him. Therefore he has been suspended for three weeks to allow the house committee on finance to do proper checking on the SU finances. Issues like this make one wonder if really some union officers know the primary functions of their office.
The highlight of the proceedings was when the mace was rapidly carted away by a man whom only God knows where he popped up from. If not for the spare mace that was available, the proceedings would have been to an abrupt end. This brings also the issue of security. There was only one “Baba blue” in a sitting that promised to be tough. We believe the security department could have done better.
The speaker of the house announced his resignation as the General Secretary of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, UDUS chapter. We hope this will put to sleep the claims that MSSN controls the house.
Conclusively, the News Digest urges all arms of the SU to operate in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Students’ Union.