By Favour Adinya
The Management of the University of Cross River State has on Monday August 12, suspended the activities of the school’s Students Union Government (SUG), stating a perceived protest by students as a reason.
But that is not the actual reason for the suspension. This CrossRiverWatch’s reporter digs deep on the root of the suspension.
Controversial Election
On June 29, 2024 the Students Union Government conducted an election that initially announced Senator Igeng Emmanuel Lazarus as president-elect to pilot affairs of the Union. But Senator Achu Kenoly Ndep was later announced the winner. Prompting eyeballs rolling and tongues wrangling.
Emmanuel Lazarus, a 400-level Education student, is said to have won the election with a manifesto focused on improving welfare, academic excellence, and enhanced student engagement.
With the congratulatory messages pouring in and the date of the inauguration beaconing, a release surfaced on August 9, declaring Sen Achu Kenoly Ndep as the President-elect; throwing the Union into confusion.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: UNICROSS Management Suspends SUG Activities Till Further Notice
While the twist still remains unclear, some political pundits and astrologers within the institution have held that, if not properly handled, might lead to unrest in the citadel of learning.
Averting The Unseen
As the controversy continued to trail and rumors of plan protest in the campus hover, Management led by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen Ochang, waded in to suspend the Union’s activities till further notice.
The Management response came as the SUG had scheduled Tuesday August 13, 2024, at 12:PM at the New Cafe Multipurpose Hall, UNICROSS Calabar campus, to formally swear-in Ndep and other elected officials.
Prof. Stephen in the earlier press release on Monday, urged students to focus on their rescheduled exams after the two-week break embarked on due to the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest against hardship.
RELATED: UNICROSS Resumes Academic Activities After Two Weeks #EndBadGovernance Protest Break
He warned students to note that necessary security measures have been put in place to stop any act that tantamount to breakdown of law and order in the University community.