Drama as union suspends, reinstates Speaker

by Yomi Ayeleso And Solomon Odeniyi , Campus Life

A drama played out at the 10th plenary of the legislative arm of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Students’ Union Government (SUG). Its Speaker, Olakunle Balogun, was suspended for alleged misconduct. Ten days after, the Speaker was reinstated, report YOMI AYELESO (400-Level Business Administration) and SOLOMON ODENIYI (400-Level Mass Communication). 

The 10th plenary session of the legislative arm of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Students’ Union Government (SUG) started as a serious business, but ended with drama. Penultimate Monday, members of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) converged for a meeting. But the conduct of the Speaker, Olakunle Balogun, rattled his colleagues, who moved a motion for his indefinite suspension.

The SRC members said Olakunle walked out on them to attend another meeting when important issues were to be discussed. It was learnt that the Speaker called for an adjournment, but the motion was not properly moved. As the Speaker walked out, members moved a motion to suspend him.

In a statement, the Clerk, Christopher Arowolo, said, the Speaker failed to discharge his official duties. This, he said, was contrary to Section 42 (11) and Article VI of the union constitution, which states: “Speaker shall perform all duties incidental to his office.”

Olakunle was said to have walked out during the sitting when issues concerning the welfare of students were being discussed. Members also accused the Speaker of using the name of the union to solicit financial help without the knowledge of the SRC.

Christopher said: “The Speaker has also failed to convene the number of statutory sittings per semester. All these amount to gross misconduct. The Speaker has, therefore, been directed to hand over all union documents and property at his disposal to his deputy.”

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that 13 members supported the suspension of the Speaker, while eight moved against it. Three senators were undecided.

The Deputy Speaker, Emmanuel Akinrele, confirmed that the embattled Speaker “stormed out” of the plenary. He said: “The Speaker, from the outset, has been diligent. Members are not happy with the way he walked out of the sitting, while pressing issues were being discussed. They have punished him by suspending him and the suspension is indefinite. It may last till tomorrow, next week or next month.”

According to the member representing the Male Hall of Residence, Toyeeb Ayobami, the Speaker was frustrated by the pressure mounted on him by members, but said Olakunle should have been patient.

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