By Comfort Onaiwu
In a joint and strongly-worded memo released on July 28th, 2025, presidential candidates in the just concluded University of Benin Students’ Union Government (SUG) election have openly rejected the outcome of the election and condemned the inauguration of the declared winners, which was carried out in defiance of a standing court injunction.
At about 9:00 a.m. that morning, the SUG High Court issued an ex parte injunction restraining the Student Union Government, Electoral Commission (ELECO), and all relevant parties from proceeding with the scheduled inauguration of the so-called “elected” executives, pending the hearing and determination of the petition challenging the legality and credibility of the 2025 SUG elections.
According to the memo, the presidential candidates welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a bold and essential step to protect students’ rights and uphold the rule of law. However, they expressed shock and deep disappointment that the ELECO went ahead with the inauguration despite the court order.
The memo describes this act as a “brazen defiance” and “constitutional impunity” that not only undermines the integrity of the judiciary but also threatens the peace and democratic order of the University campus. As a result, the election litigants made the following declarations:
“We categorically reject the outcome of the 2025 SUG elections. The entire electoral process was riddled with irregularities, ranging from disenfranchisement, procedural manipulation, to violations of the electoral guidelines. No credible mandate can emanate from a process that lacks transparency and fairness.”
Secondly, they rejected any attempted inauguration carried out in disobedience to the court’s injunction. “Any such inauguration is illegal, contemptuous of the SUG High Court, and lacks any legitimacy. The very act of ignoring a lawful court order is a violation of constitutional governance and student union values.”
Thirdly, the candidates stated clearly that they do not recognize the authority or legitimacy of any executive body inaugurated under these circumstances. “Any group of persons declared or inaugurated contrary to a standing court order is acting outside the law and cannot claim to represent the student body in any legal, moral, or political capacity,” the memo read.
Fourthly, they strongly condemned the actions of the ELECO and called for immediate disciplinary and judicial consequences. “No institution should operate above the law. The deliberate decision to ignore a court order is a direct assault on the rule of law and must not go unpunished.”
Lastly, the presidential candidates reaffirmed their commitment to the pursuit of justice. “Our petition is before the SUG High Court, and we will continue to pursue it to its logical conclusion. We trust that the Court will not allow its authority to be ridiculed or rendered impotent by those who believe they are above the law.”
They called on all students of the University of Benin to stand on the side of lawful order, truth, and justice. The memo concludes with a powerful reminder: “Let it be known throughout the student body and beyond, that illegality shall not be legitimized by silence. History will remember those who chose to speak when it mattered most.”
The memo was signed by Hon. Comr. Shedrack Ehiguese, Presidential Candidate, 2025 SUG Elections and Comr. Oyakhire Ohimai Michaelson, Presidential Candidate, 2025 SUG Elections.
Copies were also sent to the Chief Justice of the SUG High Court, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, the Director of the Security Division, Press and Media Outlets, Faculty and Departmental Heads, and Concerned Student Groups.