LSS Resignations: What Next?
As the Content Director of the LSS Blog, it is expected that I have information on everything that goes on in the faculty. And in most cases, I do. I am privy to one-too-many secrets of one-too-many people and groups within the faculty. And at times, it gets worrisome.
However, I didn’t expect the resignations. I mean, I had heard things but because of the sensitivity of the information, the LSS intentionally blindsided everyone, including me.
Why did they resign?
Since the resignations were announced, I have been blasted from various angles with this question. Apparently, I am supposed to know the answer. I wondered if I should write a full exposé on how faulty the election rules and processes are, or how covetous people are, or how the “divide and conquer” card is being utilized again — for the millionth time — or why it is fallacious to say students have rights or powers in this school.
However, opting for those routes would lead to problems for the ex-PRO, ex-President and most likely, me. Also, in light of the fact that they intentionally omitted details about why they resigned in their respective announcements, I feel the need to respect Rasaq and Benita’s privacy. All I can say for now is that if something smells fishy, then there’s fish somewhere.
What next?
That I can’t say for certain, but I would like to remind you that there were 3 candidates who ran for the office of the LSS President — Laolu Oguntokun, Rasaq Ariwoola and Charles Dureke — while Benita Riagbayire contested unopposed. For the office of LSS President, there are a few possibilities as to what happens next.
The most likely scenario is that one of the other candidates would become the President. While Charles didn’t campaign during the elections, his picture showed up on the balloting portal for that post and he was able to secure 1 vote. The explanation for that remains a mystery as even Charles doesn’t know why his picture appeared on the portal. Apparently, it was another case of clerical error.
Laolu, on the other hand, campaigned and was as competitive as Rasaq. In fact, the competition between the two was so intense that it divided the faculty into two sides — Team Impact and Team IDEA. Considering that he had the second highest number of votes, Laolu is the natural replacement for Rasaq.
However, this is not a cut-and-dried situation. Factoring in the rumours of foul play and the aggression with which both sides campaigned, Laolu would likely be met with hostility if he becomes the President. It would be similar to how negative responses met Canon in 2019 when he became the President after Tade was similarly forced to resign.
In fact, sources tell me that Laolu has been formally asked to become the President and he has formally sent a letter rejecting the offer. Judging by the fragility of the situation, it is uncertain whether his letter would be accepted or if he would be forced to take up the reins. Nonetheless, the other members of the Executive team had a closed-door meeting with Laolu to discuss the obvious. Details on the outcome of the meeting are yet to be disclosed. If his letter of rejection is accepted, the vacuum left by Rasaq’s resignation remains.
The next logical option would have been asking Chidera, the Vice President, to take up the position but she’s a Year 4 student and Section 6(3)(j) of the LSS Constitution states that only a Year 5 student can become the President. However, it cannot be ascertained whether this Constitution is still valid or whether rule of law still exists because this same Constitution provides for a Student Senate Body that was arbitrarily scrapped. In fact, it is opined by many that the LSS Constitution has been suspended. This dilemma is further compounded by the fact that there is no other legislation or guideline that provides clarity on electoral issues in the Faculty. Even the Faculty of Law Electoral Committee (FLEC) is confused.
If Chidera, the Vice President, cannot take up the position as a result of this rule, who else can? The next option is that another election would be conducted. However, my sources inform me that the authorities are strongly against the idea of conducting another election.
Would a random student be appointed if Laolu still doesn’t want the position? Would the Staff Adviser to the LSS be asked to lead the Executive team? Would the LSS as a body get scrapped?
The issue with the office of the Public Relations Officer is quite different. Benita ran unopposed so there is no one who can be legitimately pressured into taking up the position. In the event that new elections are not conducted, it is likely that other members of the Executive team would be forced to fill the void left by her. That means publicity would become everybody’s business. Whether that would work is left to be seen.
The other option is that a new person would be appointed as the PRO. First of all, it’s uncertain whether the authorities would agree to this but if they do, the “appointed” person would work in an unofficial capacity. That means, they cannot add the work experience to the C.V and neither can they publicly represent law students in any capacity. All they do is work with no pay and no recognition. I don’t think many people would accept such a job.
As I write this in the Students’ Lounge, reminiscing on some of the accomplishments of the Impact Team within such a short period of time, I wonder what the future holds. I wonder how badly this sudden change would disrupt the synergy of the Executive team. I wonder how this event would affect the next faculty elections. I also think about what would have happened if all the members of the Executive team, as a way of protest and show of solidarity, resigned.
Would the authorities have allowed Rasaq and Benita to continue? Or would they have taken advantage of the situation to scrap the Law Students’ Society as a body like they did to the Student Senate?
These are questions I, as the Content Director, cannot answer and it vexes me so much that there is so much uncertainty. The only thing that is certain is that life goes on.
