By O.V.Collins
The National Association of Life Sciences Students (NALSS), University of Benin, on Thursday, February 9, 2023, held its Executive Government Election. The scarcely competitive election had the 7 constituent departments contest for the various offices as made available by the 2021/2022 Electoral committee, having the aspirant from the Department of Biochemistry, Eberechi Possible Kelechi, triumph to win the highest Executive office in the Faculty.
ACJ UNIBEN gathered that 12 aspirants were screened by the NALSS Electoral Committee, out of which 8 aspirants were cleared and declared eligible to contest for the election, a development that didn’t sit well with some departments due to the fact that the candidates from their constituency were not cleared.
The election, which was scheduled to have started at 9am on Thursday, commenced around 11am due to a number of circumstances which included the unavailability of stamp for the validation of ballot papers by the Electoral committee.
Students of the great Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, in their numbers, stormed the Polling unit, Life Sciences open field, to exercise their franchise. The two major candidates, Eberechi Possible Kelechi, and Orhorhoro Culbert Tekevwe, who contested for the office of the Governor, were seen at the election ground, parading and ensuring that their home department and allies turned up to cast their votes.
A memo obtained by our correspondent from the Electoral committee revealed that all forms of campaign were prohibited as from 12am on Thursday morning. However, the camp of Culbert was reported to have continued online campaign, until 10:31am that morning, even after caution by the Electoral committee. The penalty for this offence was immediate disqualification of the candidate, but for some reason, the defaulters were cautioned again for the 4th time.
At about 1am, the electorates, who were on a very long queue, began to complain of the scorching weather. This led to some voters leaving the venue due to frustration and fatigue. The complaints were treated by the Speaker and President of the National Association of Biochemistry Students, who immediately provided several bags of cold water for the voters. This attracted more voters to the queue and the process went on smoothly.
The election came to an end at 2:30pm after which sorting and counting followed immediately. In an official statement signed by the Electoral Chairman, Hon. Festus Osamudiamen IYENAHIE, it was revealed that the total number of accredited voters sum up to 1378, with departments like Science Laboratory Technology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, pulling out the highest number of voters; 402, 365, and 180 respectively.
Other departments pulled out voters in the following order; PBB – 138, AEB – 120, EMT – 87, and OPT – 86.
“Mr Possible Kelechi Eberechi from the department of Biochemistry, after meeting all requirements and gathering the highest number of valid votes, is hereby declared ‘The winner and Governor-Elect’ of the National Association of Life Sciences Students, Uniben chapter, University of Benin,” the statement read.
Possible summed a total of 854 votes against Culbert who had a total of 462 votes. Other candidates, although unopposed, had over 2/3 of the total votes cast. The elected candidates include Joy Osabhahiemen Aijeh, for Deputy Governor; Eyituoyo Dianne Eyinmism, for Financial Secretary; Onakhe Emmanuel Ojo, for Director of Welfare; Courage Osasogie Osemwenkhae, for Director of Sports; Miracle Akpan Gabriel, for Public Relations Officer; and, Godwin Amueliede Osasenaga, for Assistant Secretary General.
The election, according to observers, turned out to be free and fair. The inauguration of the newly elected Executive Council is scheduled to hold on Friday at the Faculty of Life Sciences Complex.