FESSU Congress Dissolves Senate Leadership Amid Crisis, Sets Up Electoral Commission
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE CONGRESS OF FEDERATION OF EKITI STATE STUDENTS UNION (FESSU) NATIONAL BODY HELD ON 19TH MARCH, 2025, AT EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI
Preamble:
The Congress of Ekiti Students being the highest decision making body of the Union in line with Article 3, Section 10, Sub-section 3.3, held on the 19th of March, 2025, at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, was convened to address pressing issues affecting the smooth functioning of the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) and welfare of the Students. The Congress commenced with the National Vice President (then-Acting National President), Comrade Fatoba Adeniyi, presiding over the proceedings and keenly addressing the agenda of the Congress.
After extensive deliberations and cross-examination of issues concerning the Union (State of the Union), the Congress, by majority decision after interrogation and evidences, reinstated the National President, Comrade Benjamin Adekunle Onileowo, acknowledging the lack of due process and fair hearing in his suspension. Following his reinstatement, Comrade Fatoba Adeniyi honorably stepped aside, allowing Comrade Benjamin Adekunle Onileowo to resume his rightful position.
Resolutions:
The Congress, after thorough discussions through it’s agenda, unanimously resolved as follows:
1. Reinstatement of Suspended National Officers:
The National President, Comrade Benjamin Adekunle Onileowo, and the National Treasurer, Comrade Olajide Oluwanifemi were reinstated with immediate effect. Their suspension was declared nullified due to lack of due process and fair hearing, as stipulated in Article 6, Section 1.1 of the Union’s Constitution.
2. Dissolution of Senate Leadership:
In accordance with Article 3, Section 10, Sub-section 4.4, and Article 6, Section 1.4 of the Union constitution as vested in the Congress, the Senate Leadership was hereby dissolved over its prolonged internal crisis, including claims by two persons to be the Senate President at the same time and collusion of a section of it with external forces aimed at destabilizing the Union for personal gains.
3. Suspension of Senate Activities:
All Senate activities are suspended indefinitely to prevent further escalation of the crisis and with the only national assignment to vote or be voted for in the forthcoming elections, in accordance with Article 3, Section 10, Sub-section 3.3. This suspension will ensure that order is maintained and that effort towards conducting a credible and peaceful election are not compromised.
4. Submission of Senate Documents:
The Senate, especially the dissolved Clerk is directed to submit all sitting attendance records and minutes to the Electoral Committee, and hand over all other Union properties to the NEC through the National President within seventy-two (72) hours in line with Article 3, Section 2.3. Failure to comply with this directive should prompt the union through it’s head to seek intervention in written, from the respective institutions (managements) of the dissolved Senate leadership for necessary sanctions and compliance.
5. Empowerment of the Electoral Committee:
The Electoral Committee is empowered to conduct Joint Elections, i.e., NEC and House of Senate elections simultaneously on the same day, through the suspension of Article 4, Section 1.3 to restore stability to the union and usher in a new administration without factions.
6. Publication of Eligible Institutions List (Voters List):
The Electoral Committee shall publish the list of eligible institutions (Voters List) in line with Article 4, Section 3.6 at least seventy-two (72) hours before the scheduled election.
7. Eligibility of Senators:
Only incumbent Chapter Presidents are recognized as Senators, in line with Article 3, Section 5, Sub-section 1.1, and shall serve as the only eligible voters.
8. Eligibility Criteria for All NEC Offices and House of Senate Principal Officers:
Only Ekiti Students who have attended a minimum of two (2) National Congresses or two (2) Chapter Congresses/Meetings, with proven evidence, shall be eligible to contest for any office in the National Executive Council as well as only Incumbent Chapter Presidents referred to as Senators in the constitution are eligible to Contest in Senate Election.
9. Prohibition Against Impersonation:
All dissolved officers, as resolved in this Congress, are strictly prohibited from parading themselves as officers of the Union through any medium, whether physical or online. Such actions amount to impersonation and must be adequately treated as such by the appropriate quarters, including security agencies and students of Ekiti State.
10. Enforcement of Resolutions:
All defaulters of the resolutions stated herein shall be duly petitioned to appropriate authorities for sanctions, compliance, and possible handover to security agencies to avert further crisis within the Union.
11. The Congress in line with Article 4, Section 1.1 set-up Election Commission as follows;
1. ADEYEMI SAMUEL P. – EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY ADO-EKITI || EKITI STATE AXIS
2. ADEYEYE ALEXANDRA OLAMILEKAN – RUFUS GIWA POLYTECHNIC OWO || ONDO/EDO AXIS
3. ALE ADENIYI TAIWO – FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC ILARO || LAGOS/OGUN AXIS
4. ASAAJU BOSEDE REBECCA – OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY || OSUN/OYO AXIS
5. OLUWABUNMI OLALEYE – FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC OFFA || KOGI/KWARA AXIS
6. OMOYENI CALEB – AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA || NORTHERN AXIS
7. APATA IFEOLUWA VICTOR – FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI || PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
They are saddled with the responsibilities of conducting a credible, free and fair election for both the National Executive Council and House of Senate to usher in new administration simultaneously .
12. The Congress nominated and resolved on a 3-man Communiqué Drafting Committee consisting of Comrade Ibikunle Tolani, Comrade Abiodun Kolade and Comrade Oluwamuyiwa Deborah as Chairman, Secretary and PRO respectively.
Conclusion:
The Congress urges all Students and stakeholders to adhere strictly to these resolutions in the interest of peace, unity, and progress of the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU).
Long Live FESSU!
Long Live Ekiti State!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Signed:
COMRADE IBIKUNLE TOLANI OLARONKE
Communiqué Drafting Committee Chairperson/Assistant National Secretary, FESSU
0810464 5996
COMRADE KOLADE ABIODUN
Communiqué Drafting Committee Secretary
07040267304
COMRADE OLUMUYIWA DEBORAH
Communiqué Drafting Committee PRO
07055177589
