The Management of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, through the Office of the Dean of Students' Affairs, has officially announced the immediate dissolution of all student association executive committees across the campus. In a formal memorandum signed by the Dean, Dr. Unyime Patrick Udoudo, the institution confirmed that the tenure for all elected officers representing various schools, academic departments, and local government chapters has reached its constitutional conclusion.
This directive marks the beginning of a critical transition phase within the student leadership structure of the polytechnic. The dissolution is aimed at sanitizing the student political space and ensuring that fresh leadership is brought in to drive the interests of the student body for the new academic cycle. To maintain order and institutional stability, the management has provided a structured roadmap for the upcoming electoral process.
Mandatory Electoral Protocols and Timelines
To facilitate a seamless and credible transition, the Dean's office has established strict mandates that all departments and schools must follow. These guidelines are designed to uphold the democratic rights of students while maintaining the academic integrity of the institution.
- Formation of Electoral Boards Deans of various schools and Heads of Departments (HODs) have been directed to collaborate with their respective student advisers to inaugurate independent electoral boards immediately. These boards will be responsible for screening candidates, verifying academic eligibility, and organizing the logistics of the polls.
- The Voting Standard: Secret Ballot In a move to ensure total transparency and protect the privacy of voters, the management has mandated that all elections must be conducted via SECRET BALLOT. This is intended to eliminate intimidation and ensure that the results truly reflect the will of the student population.
- Crucial Deadlines The window for leadership transition is tight. All association elections must be concluded on or before February 20th, 2026. This deadline is non-negotiable, as it is a prerequisite for the broader institutional politics.
The Prerequisite for Student Union Government (SUG) Participation
A significant highlight of the directive is the link between individual associations and the Student Union Government (SUG). The management has clearly stated that association elections must be successfully completed before the SUG elections can take place.
Failure to conduct a recognized election within the stipulated timeframe will result in that specific association being barred from participating in the Student Union Parliament. This underscores the importance of the association-level leadership, as they serve as the foundational blocks of the university's legislative and representative arm.
Oversight, Monitoring, and Compliance
The Office of the Dean of Students' Affairs has emphasized that it holds the final authority over all electoral outcomes. The memo explicitly states: "Any election conducted without the approval of the Dean of Students' Affairs will not be recognized." To enforce this, a specialized Election Monitoring Team will be deployed to various voting centers across the campus. This team is tasked with overseeing the conduct of the electoral boards, ensuring that no association deviates from the approved guidelines. The deployment of this team is a proactive measure to prevent electoral malpractice and to ensure that the transition remains free, fair, and credible.
Conclusion: Paving the Way for New Leadership
The management of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic encourages all students to participate actively and peacefully in the upcoming polls. This exercise is an opportunity for students to exercise their democratic rights and elect leaders who are committed to academic excellence and student welfare.
All outgoing executives are expected to hand over all association properties and documents to their respective HODs or newly formed electoral boards to avoid administrative friction.