"By perseverance, the snail reached the ark."
The above words by Charles Spurgeon are nothing but a reflective outcome of struggles, perseverance, and the restructured stance of Seyifunmi Francis Adeosun, popularly known as Francofone, a political aspirant for the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko Students Union Government (SUG) General Election for the 2021/22 academic session.
Francofone is currently a 400-level student from the prestigious faculty of law, and his political ambition to be the President of the SUG had witnessed an unforeseen derail, setting several months of campaigns and political strategies imbibed into his ambition into abyss, an ambient ambition that several of his supporters would have thought was insusceptible to resuscitation. However, after traversing several of these events, he publicly declared his interest in contesting the next general election a few days ago.
THE CLIPPED AMBITION
Prior to 2021, Seyifunmi Francis Adeosun, who is popularly known on campus as Francofone, began the watering of his planted ambition to serve by leading the conscious students of Adekunle Ajasin University at the Student Union Government as the President of the union. This ambition, was however clipped by an unfortunate incident that eventually led to the disqualification of Seyifunmi as an aspirant for the position of SUG president.
The Incident
November 22, 2021, was a settled date for the CBT exam for 2020/2021 academic session at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. This date was one of its kind, as it was so anticipated by the students due to the forewarning dew of a novel policy brought up by the school administration: "No school fee, No exam" policy.
Eventually, the strict implementation of this policy led to a supposed peaceful protest, which was later hijacked by miscreants who masqueraded as students of the institution.
The Indiction
Subsequent to the Incident, the school disciplinary committee set up a panel to investigate the orchestration of the protest, which led to the destruction of properties. The names of the accused masterminds of the protest were then announced, of which, unfortunately, Seyifunmi Francis Adeosun (Francofone) was one. In his defence, he claimed to be among the few who, on that day of the protest, tried to calm the storm.
The Abrupt Disqualification From The Political Race
In pursuit of his ambition, Francofone officially declared his intention to run for president of the Student Union Government. He went about with a diplomatic but straight-to-the-point campaign; he engaged the students critically with his agenda and planned for them, and without gainsaying, his gospel was supposedly believed among the students. His mantra, "Only the best is good for us" became a chant that resonated among the students, thereby giving him a competitive stance among his opponents.
On April 28, 2023, which was the day of the announcement of the qualified candidates after a thorough screening had been conducted, a stone of shock was thrown at the students following the inclusion of his name among the set of students disqualified from further contesting in the general election. The sole reason for his abrupt disqualification was hinged upon his pending case with the disciplinary committee.
Several efforts that were made to bring him back on track were to no avail, and he was successfully disqualified from contesting in the AAUASU election.
Subsequently, INEC emerged as the President of the student union government after a dramatic turn-out of events.
The Vindication
On May 31, 2023, Francofone was declared exonerated and found not guilty for his alleged involvement in the violent protest.
An Opportunity For A Significant Revival?
Francofone, on July 30, 2023, took the bold step to resuscitate and unclip his ambition that was halted by his shocking disqualification.
In his official declaration to contest as an aspirant for the position of President of the Students' Union Government, he stated:
"The burning passion for meaningful contribution to humanity and the development of our dear Union has engineered the thought of throwing my hat into the ring once again... It is my intention to lead a Union that will prioritize the welfare of all AAUAITES. Our all round welfare package is one which will cover every aspect of our stay on campus."
He further reiterated his commitment to serve the student union.
The "ROLLERCOASTER"?
As much as perseverance is considered not a long race but as many short races one after the other, it is quite essential to reflect on the many possibilities that have eluded the mandate, his vision, and his proclaimed commitment to the general welfare of the students at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
At the same time, It has undoubtedly been a commendable ride for INEC following his emergence as the president of the last general election, through his involvement in the welfare of the students in situations such as reduction in transport fares, as well as his promises of renovation of the lamp post within the school campus, among other declarations. This has brought a paradigm shift—at least to the previous portrayal of the Students Union Government as passive and irresponsive.
Conversely, it is equally safe to assume that this might have paved the ground for Francofone, as well as other political aspirants to build on.
Conclusively, It is a dire time for the students to witness responsible and responsive representatives that are duly committed towards bringing positive change. It is to witness a political era where the actors can contest on the same level ground without bias, even at this grassroot level.
It is yet another time to see whether Francofone would leap a foot higher, transcending the boundaries of his political opponents and ascending to the coveted pedestal of leadership—or if the future would fail him of the growth of his once clipped wings, thereby stunting the very flight of his once curtailed aspirations.
Either way, history will be written!
LK... making a statement!
—Written by Lkite Ayomide Samuel Fanibuyan.
Staff Writer
Edited by Lkite Adedeji Adebusuyi Raphael
Associate Editor
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