The Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, has expressed deep appreciation to the law enforcement agencies and critical stakeholders in the state for their unbiased and dispassionate roles leading to a successful outcome of the Students Union Government, SUG Election in the university.

Speaking with newsmen in his office shortly after voting had concluded on Tuesday, the Vice Chancellor, said that certain elements operating outside the confines of the University bandied fake news and misleading information against ESUT Management with a view to halting the election but their manipulative tendencies were thwarted .

Prof. Okolie explained that 42 aspirants for the SUG election failed to appear for a security screening conducted by the Intelligence Unit and Anti-Cult operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the affected aspirants, who were suspected to have links with cult groups, failed to appear for screening and were automatically disqualified from participating in the election in line with the University’s zero-tolerance policy on cultism.

“For the past one year, there has been misinformation, interference and blackmail against the University Management regarding the SUG election. The reality is that Management has been confronting dark forces represented by cult groups seeking to take over the leadership of the Students’ Union Government in ESUT,” he said.

“We will not allow that because ESUT Management maintains a zero-tolerance stance on cultism. Some individuals occupying strategic positions have continued to spread false reports, lies and slander against the University Management.

“As Chairman of the state-owned tertiary institutions in Enugu State, I am deeply concerned that cult-related activities are becoming prevalent across higher institutions in the state.”

Prof. Okolie called on the Visitor to the University and Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, to investigate developments surrounding SUG elections in the institution with a view to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the alleged malfeasances.

The Vice Chancellor described the SUG election, held on Tuesday, as peaceful, credible and transparent, noting that it was conducted electronically to eliminate manipulation and violence.

“As voting progressed, results were displayed in real time. The voting portal, which remained open for the period, allowed each eligible student to cast only one vote. Only bona fide students who had paid their school fees participated in the exercise. The University Management had no preferred candidate because all contestants are students of the institution,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor also expressed the preparedness of the University Management to extend this e-voting technology to all levels of voting in Nigeria, adding that the model remained most appropriate for grooming future political leaders through transparent, convenient and violence-free elections.

He also noted that the exercise was monitored by the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, from the control room.

Prof. Okolie further stated that despite what he described as attempts to discredit the process, the Enugu State Government remained confident in the University’s management, enabling the election to proceed without disruption.

Meanwhile, at the end of the election, Comrade Nwobodo Isaac Chidera emerged President-elect of the ESUT Students’ Union Government after polling 2,002 votes, defeating his closest rival, Comrade Agbo Jeremiah Chika, who secured 299 votes.

Also Com. Nevo Precious Chisom emerged Vice President-elect after polling 1356 votes while Comrades Amaechi Gideon, Eze Favour Chibuike and Asogwa Kelechi Genevieve won the posts of Treasurer, Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General respectively.

The new leadership of the students body will be sworn-in later.

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