UNICAL Students Protest As Ekpo Tete Emerges SUG President

By Ogar Monday

The Calabar University Electoral Committee (CUECO), the body charged with the responsibility of conducting Students Union Governments election in UNICAL has declared Comrade Ekpo Tete as the winner of the Students Union Government Presidential seat, beating Comrade Nkanu Ogban Unoh and Comrade Iso Effiong Ekeyong to the post.

The elections which had earlier been marred by protests from students over technical issues with the e-voting saw most of the students having difficulties casting their votes with others unable to obtain their ‘pin’, which is the key to voting, with less than 2 hours to the earlier stipulated time for voting to end. This scenario reinforced the earlier fears expressed by students about the e-voting system.

The protest was only calmed when the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Eyong Eyong told the students that the issues with the site is not in any way linked to the management attempting to impose candidates on the students. He promised the protesting students that everything within his powers will be done to bring the site to work timely and ensure students exercise their franchise.

True to his words, the voting process kicked off immediately after his appeal with voting time extended by another hour.

While giving his victory speech, Comrade Ekpo Tete expressed his gratitude to the students for their unwavering support, through the campaigns, to the election and after being declared the winner. He encouraged his fellow aspirants to close ranks with him so that they can all “continue in aluta.”

“A new dawn is here and we will all benefit from it. I promise that the trust you all have on me will be paid back.” he said.

Other candidates elected into the various offices include, Sandra Chukwurah (Vice President), Bisong Christopher(General Secretary), Ussoh Effiok (Deputy General-Secretary), Igri Blessing (Financial Secretary), Richard Unwana (Director of Socials), Nwahia Fabian (Director of Information) Nwokolo Kingsley (Director of Sports) and Madu Johnbosco as Director of Welfare.