FATSSSA-UI ELECTION CONTROVERSY: NAPSS DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY AS NSASA REJECTS SOCIAL DIRECTOR ELECTION RESULT

By Joseph Etsevi 

The controversy surrounding the FATSSSA Social Director election at the University of Ibadan has intensified as the National Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS), UI Chapter, demands accountability from the Independent Faculty Electoral Commission (IFEC), while the Department of Sociology (NSASA) rejects the election result in its current form.

In its statement titled “Call for Accountability on the IFEC Fine and the Safety of Member Data,” NAPSS questioned the justification for the ₦20,000 fine reportedly imposed despite finding that the candidate was not guilty. The Association demanded that IFEC explain the basis for the sanction or withdraw it.

NAPSS also expressed concern over reports that financially committed FATSSSAITES received campaign-related messages, raising questions about how their contact details were obtained and used.

The Association called on Miss Modesty Paul to publicly explain how she accessed the contact details of FATSSSAITES, insisting that information submitted for official purposes should be handled responsibly. It further demanded an investigation into how its membership database was accessed and called for measures to strengthen the protection of student’s personal information.

In a separate public release, the Department of Sociology, through the Nigerian Sociological and Anthropological Students Association (NSASA) , UI Chapter, rejected the Social Director election result in its present form.

The Department cited alleged bulk SMS messages reportedly sent to students at approximately 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Election Day, allegedly containing direct appeals for votes. The NSASA Student Executive Council argued that the timing of the messages raises questions about compliance with electoral guidelines prohibiting electioneering during the stipulated period.

The Department also criticized IFEC’s response, maintaining that it had not adequately addressed whether the messages constituted prohibited electioneering.

Consequently, it demanded that the election result be reconsidered pending a proper determination of the dispute. It further called for the candidate’s disqualification if a breach of the applicable electoral guidelines is established. Both Departments official statements emphasized the need for an impartial review.

NAPSS argued that an independent body, separate from IFEC and the Faculty, should investigate the dispute, examine the fine, review the handling of FATSSSAITES data, and publish its findings.

As the NSASA declared in its statement, “The integrity of the process must come before the convenience of the outcome.”, the Department of Sociology called for an appropriate Electoral Petition Tribunal to independently examine the petition and determine the matter in accordance with due process as well as a clear explanation of the basis for the Electoral Commission’s decision and demanded subsequent sanction.

The controversy has raised critical questions: Why was the fine imposed? How were students’ contact details obtained? Did the alleged SMS messages violate electoral guidelines? And will an independent investigation settle the dispute?

NAPSS has demanded a response within 24 hours of its October 9 statement, placing pressure on the relevant authorities to address its concerns.

However, the allegations have not been independently verified, and responses from IFEC, the Faculty authorities, and the candidate concerned are necessary for a complete account.

Ultimately, the controversy goes beyond who won the election, but also, concerns whether the electoral process was fair, transparent, and consistent with the rules governing student elections.

The FATSSSA community now awaits answers, accountability, and a explicit resolution that restores confidence in the electoral process.