BEYOND THE BALLOT: THE CHOICE WE MAKE AND THE LEADER WE GET

By Fawunmi Elizabeth

Following the faculty and departmental elections, attention now turns to the University of Ibadan Students' Union election.

As the election approaches, the familiar excitement of student politics is returning. Candidates will seek support, campaign posters will appear, and friendships will intersect with political ambitions. But beneath the excitement lies an uncomfortable question: Are we choosing leaders, or are we simply rewarding the people we like?

Elections give students the opportunity to choose their representatives. However, the value of that opportunity depends partly on how voters approach it. When personal relationships, popularity, and group loyalty take precedence over thoughtful judgement, the purpose of an election is undermined.

FRIENDSHIP IS NOT A QUALIFICATION

It is understandable to want our friends to succeed. We celebrate their ambitions and support their efforts. However, an election is not a friendship contest, and a leadership position is not a reward for being well-liked.

A vote is more than a mark on a ballot; it is a voice, a choice, and a statement about the future you believe in.

Our friends may deserve our support, but friendship alone should not determine who receives our votes. An elected representative serves a community, not merely a circle of friends. The responsibilities of the office extend to students who may never have met the person they elected.

A vote given out of loyalty may feel personal, but its consequences can extend far beyond the relationship. We must learn to separate our affection for people from our judgement of their suitability for leadership.

POPULARITY IS NOT PROOF OF LEADERSHIP

In student politics, visibility can easily be mistaken for value. A candidate with a large following may attract more attention than someone whose campaign receives less publicity. However, public attention does not, by itself, establish a person's capacity for leadership.

Popularity can help a candidate connect with people, but it cannot replace the qualities required to represent them responsibly. When familiarity and public image dominate our decisions, we risk overlooking what truly matters when choosing our representatives.

Leadership is a responsibility, not just a title. It requires the ability to create meaningful impact and serve the people who have placed their trust in you. As voters, we must look beyond the person everyone is talking about and think critically about the individual seeking our votes.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE VOTES ARE COUNTED?

The responsibility of an electorate does not end when election results are announced. The same students who celebrate a candidate's victory must be willing to hold their representatives accountable.

Leadership requires communication, transparency, and a willingness to address the concerns of the people being represented. Students should not have to wait until another election before their voices matter.

Elected representatives must also understand that victory does not exempt them from scrutiny. Winning an election grants someone the opportunity to serve; it does not place them above questions or criticism.

If we expect accountability from our leaders, we must be prepared to ask difficult questions and demand meaningful answers.

THE VOTE IS YOURS. SO IS THE RESPONSIBILITY.

As UI approaches another Students' Union election, every student faces a choice. That choice should be made freely, without intimidation or pressure to follow the crowd.

Before casting your vote, ask yourself: Have I considered the person seeking this position, or am I simply following the decisions of those around me?

You do not have to agree with everyone. You do not have to vote for your friend, and you do not have to support a candidate simply because they are popular.

Your vote is your voice, and a voice unheard is a choice surrendered. Do not surrender your judgement just to prove your loyalty.

The quality of student leadership is influenced by the choices students make and the standards they expect from those they elect. Candidates must take responsibility for their leadership, while voters must take responsibility for their decisions.

When the campaigns end and the posters come down, the question will no longer be who attracted the loudest cheers. It will be who has been entrusted with the responsibility of representation.

Perhaps that is where we must begin: by looking beyond personal relationships and popularity and considering what we want our votes to stand for.