BREAKING:It was time to protect our Union's democracy;why I voted the new SUG.

I'll gladly take out my time to appreciate your workings that paid off at yesterday's poll, for John Lewis, before his passing, wrote: “Democracy is not a state, it is an act.” – and what he meant, was that the UofA's SUG/SRA democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it. To guard it, and never take it for granted. And protecting our democracy takes struggle. It takes sacrifice. But there is joy in it, and there is progress. Because we, the people, have the power to build a better future.

And when our very democracy was on the ballot in this election, with the very soul of the about 30000 students at stake, and the world watching, we ushered in a new day for UofA. 

One of the most important aspects of this union,stated in Article Eight of our SUG constitution,is the possibility of deciding by universal vote on the person who will lead the work of this union. The process that we concluded yesterday therefore represents a celebration, more than a competition, of the founding principles of our Union. Accordingly, our vote has been an act that strengthens multilateralism. For that reason, all faculties win, because by strengthening the UofA SUG/SRA we are making progress in building up its pillars of peace and security, development and human rights for the benefit of our peoples and our common heritage.
Hon. Abdullahi Bashir (SUG president elect)

I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President,Hon. Abdullahi Bashir. Truly,my vote counted and an enormous privilege and honour has been trusted to your care,Honourable. Your victory has only few words to qualify them,Que sera sera. 

It has been a remarkable and historic victory for the 93.3% students voice which I represent and I am in no doubt at all as to what it means,when I voted Hon. Asmau as my Vice president.


I heard about her even before I met her yesterday in person, how she's been standing up for the students in her constituency. I immediately voted her for the interest of my constituency.

Hon. Ehis is a public figure and a great name in the mouth of all in the faculty of Arts constituency,and when I saw him in the ballot 🗳, I repayed my vow.

I heard about the Chair-lady of Engineering,Hon. Karen and her loyalty to good governance over personal interest.


I voted her and said a little prayer for her in my closet;that may she continue to be a light.

My mandate is for reform and for investment in the future and it is also very clearly an instruction to deliver,so I had no doubt that our future is safe with Hon. Big Science.




Yes,I wouldn't forget the simple and but great leader,Hon. Mai Saufa,none in the house was even able to withstand him in the poll for he was too good to be challenged.

I believe there is an even greater obligation on us, on me, after election to tell students very clearly what are the difficult choices and challenges we face and how we work our way through them and that I will only do by letting the best,man the union's information. So, Hon. Hik was my choice too.


Meet Hon. Makama,even though obviously I profoundly disagreed with many of the things she may have said during the course of this election, I thought she showed extraordinary stoicism and resilience in very difficult circumstances.


I wouldn't forget to mention him even though I didn't vote for him,he won because he was popular, he won because he played his card well and both opposition like me kinda find him likeable to be with,he is Hon. Atiku Abubakar.

I have learnt many things over the past few days. I have, I hope, learnt from the mistakes as well as the good things. I've also learnt that loyalty pays over struggle and godfatherism,for good name is greater than silver and gold,vis-à-vis,I wasn't shocked when Rt. hon. Nkem Silas (Ool Col) emerged as the speaker without any contender.



His records speaks volumes of his integrity,and I've also learnt that if I must prevail in politics, I must be trustworthy.

But above all else I have learnt of the importance of establishing the clear priorities of the students representative assembly, of setting them out clearly for people and then focusing on them relentlessly whatever events may come and go.


That was why I chose the tough and beautiful Hon. Zeenat over any other candidate, her first impression at the house was audacious and sophisticated.

In terms of the future, the UofA SRA has a hung parliament where no faculty or interest group has overall majority and we have some deep and pressing problems - a huge deficit, deep social problems, a political system in need of reform and students voices yearning to be heard.




For those reasons I chose Hon. Wuzy as most dedicated and qualified for the job as she aims to form a proper and full coalition between all voices.

Yes,I stood with the brave Hon. Akanzy too.

One of the tasks that we clearly have now is to rebuild trust in our Union. Yes that's about cleaning up expenses, yes that is about reforming parliament, and yes it is about making sure people are in control - and that the politicians are always their servant and never their masters.

But I believe it is also something else. It is about being honest about what government can achieve. Real change is not what government can do on its own - real change is when everyone pulls together, comes together, works together, where we all exercise our responsibilities to ourselves, to our constituency and to others.

And I want to help try and build a more responsible society here in UofA. One where we don't just ask what are my entitlements, but what are my responsibilities.

One where we don't ask what am I just owed, but more what can I give.

And a guide for that the new SUG - that those that can should, and those who can't we will always help.
         

   Thank you,I am distinguished Hon. Ifesinachi Donald (ODOGWU/Students voice)-09045893902

                  Viva Vitória