UNIZIK: ASOMACS students elect representatives, as controversy greets election

By Ozuruome Sopuruchukwu & Jennifer Okonkwo

The Association of Mass Communication students ( ASOMACS), umbrella body of the students in Mass Communication Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe university, recently gathered at the auditorium to cast their votes for their chosen representatives.

Sequel to the election, the department had set aside opportunity for the manifesto presentation by the respective candidates vying for different positions in the association.

It was gathered that the said manifesto presentation generated controversies and mixed reaction from students who were on ground to hear the musings from the contestants.

Setting the events straight, a candidate for the post of Vice President, Osuoha Favour Nmesoma, had announced to the watching voters that the outgoing executives were never concerned about the welfare of students in the department, that the executives were never available to the needs of the members of the association, and that her administration would be at the beckon of the students if elected.

“The government of the past president was not always available for us and for our requests, but if elected as the vice-president, I will always be available” She said.

However, the words of the VP aspirant infuriated the outgoing president, Comrade Kingsley Okolo, who took the statement as derogatory. While he described the words of the Osuoha as an insult to his administration, his responses sparked off noise and chaos in the auditorium hall.

Some of the students were of the opinion that Okolo’s administration was never on ground and was not what they wanted, while some students strongly believed that he did a good job as a president.

Triggered by her rival’s statements, Nwosu Chioma, another V.P contestant was plain in her presentation and said she believed in her capacity to deliver on the job. She told the students: “Vote, know who you want to vote for and vote for the person.”

Realising her error, Osuoha, publicly apologized to the President to restore peace and decorum in the hall. She also advised her teeming supporters: “Don’t ever let politics bring you enemies, life doesn’t end here in school.” She believed that election should only be seen as a step to building a greater department and not an avenue for building conflicts among candidates.

In other events, Miss Adora Cristiana presented her manifesto for the post of the provost and the event continued with wonderful manifestoes by the contestants including DOS 2, DOS 1 , Assistant financial secretary, Financial secretary, Ass. Secretary General, Secretary General, the President.