OSU NHQ 23/24 Elections Controversy:  El-Sharaf Petitions Olofa-in-Council, ODU, DSS, Police, Others, Urges Dissolution of Executives

Sarafadeen Abdullahi Olamide, the main contender for the presidency of the Offa Students Union (OSU) National Headquarters 23/24 academic session, has called for the dissolution of the newly elected executives of the union.

Olamide, popularly known as El-Sharaf, made this known in a petition he personally wrote and dated January 1st, 2024, and copied the Olofa-in-Council, Offa Descendants Union (ODU) National and Home chapters, the Senate Arm of OSU NHQ, the Union Legal Adviser, the DSS Security Services Offa, the Nigerian Police Force, and others.

El-Sharaf is a 300L Urban and Regional Planning Department student at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

He claimed that the immediate past OSU Presidency, led by Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Olaide Sallah, violated the constitution of the union, as well as favored Soliu Mubarak Olaiya (Ultimate Biggy) and his co-aspirants under the aegis of The Renewed Hope Crew.

He accused the administration led by Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Olaide Sallah of supporting aspirants from “The Renewed Hope Crew” despite their failure to pay required fees before obtaining forms. According to the union’s constitution, any payment not reflecting in the union’s bank account by the stipulated deadline renders the candidacy invalid, raising questions about the eligibility of the concerned individuals.

The OSUEB committee, under the same administration, faces criticism for a flawed election process. The use of only 200 ballot papers and the swift conclusion of the election within two hours have sparked concerns about the integrity of the process. The petition suggests two potential issues: mismanagement or misappropriation of funds and a violation of the rights of voters if the quantity of voting materials was reduced without proper justification.

He also highlighted the outgoing administration’s alleged failure to provide a financial report and a well-articulated communique for the entire session. Moreover, he raised oncerns about the inauguration proceeding without the awareness of the legal adviser, a breach of the union’s constitution.

The petition emphasized the potential threat these allegations pose to the Offa Students Union National Headquarters, calling on concerned stakeholders to intervene and save the union from further damage.

Sarafadeen Abdullahi Olamide El-Sharaf suggests that addressing these issues is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the union and preventing apathy among those willing to serve. He subsequently said the call to action aims to safeguard the contributions of individuals dedicated to financing the union and maintain the reputation of the Offa Students Union National Headquarters.

*THE PETITION IS REPRODUCED BELOW*

*PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF THE NEWLY PROCLAIMED ELECTED OFFA STUDENTS’ UNION NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS EXECUTIVES*

On behalf of myself, the whole team members that contested the December 31st 2023 OSU/NHQ general election tagged THE EFFECTIVE FAMILY CREW which comprises of ten (10) aspirants, OSU University of Ilorin chapter, OSU Federal University of Technology Minna chapter, OSU Kwara State University Malete chapter, OSU Ahmadu Bello University chapter, OSU Lens Polytechnic Offa chapter and all concerned congress members of Offa Students Union at large.

I am writing to concerned stakeholders, the Senate Arm OSU/NHQ, Offa Descendants Union National Headquarters, Offa Descendants Union Local chapter, The Olofa in Council, the Legal Adviser Offa Students Union National Headquarters to investigate the Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Olaide Sallah Led administration on three (3) count charges which violated the constitution of the union.

The administration supported Soliu Mubarak Olaiya popularly known as Ultimate Biggy and his co aspirants tagged THE RENEWED HOPE CREW from The Federal Polytechnic Offa despite their non-payment of fees before obtaining form which ought to be paid to the union bank account by any aspirant who wish to contest the OSU/NHQ general election before the stipulated deadline date which makes them ineligible to contest and also render their respective post held within the union invalid.

Subject to Chapter four, Article 12, Section 1, Item 13 to be precise states and I quote that “all contestants should obtain their form from OSUEB and pay to the union account”. This indicates that any payment made to individuals account, or by any means not reflect on the union bank statements of account on or before the stipulated deadline date for the payment of form which is December 4th to 18th as stated by the OSUEB render the candidacy of the concerned individuals invalid.

The OSUEB committee under the same administration failed the general public through their poor electioneering process which calls for questioning of their integrity towards the union. The committee that conducted general election with just two hundred (200) ballot papers and concluded election within less than two (2) hours depriving a large number of electorates to cast their votes despite their efforts in ensuring they come from their far away institutions to cast their votes even for the fact that only THE EFFECTIVE FAMILY CREW paid a total sum of One Hundred and Seven thousand #107,000 to secure forms before contesting for the respective offices.

This act simply indicates that (1) There is what is termed as mismanagement or misappropriation of funds within the executives and the committee. (2) If the RENEWED HOPE CREW of Ultimate Biggy paid their form charges to the union bank account as indicated by the OSUEB and the constitution the same way the EFFECTIVE FAMILY CREW of EL – SHARAF paid their #107,000 then the OSUEB committee has no right to reduce the quantity of voting materials which violates the rights of all deprived voters on December 31st 2023.

The administration which handover to Ultimate biggy and his crew failed to provide a financial report and a well-articulated communique for the whole of their session and proceed to inauguration without the awareness of the legal adviser of the union which is against the constitution according to Chapter 4, Article 12.5, Item ii which states that “The incoming executives shall be sworn in by the Legal Adviser of the union or any Legal Practitioners”.

The aforementioned allegations pose a great threat to our dear union which will dent the image of the union and promotes apathy among volunteers who wish to serve their father land. Concerned stakeholders should take up the matter to save Offa Students Union National Headquarters from sinking to safeguard the efforts of our dear fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who are contributing their quota to finance the union.