EDITORIAL: ONE MANDATE, TWO CLAIMS — UNTANGLING THE TRUTH IN THE FIBSA ELECTION CRISIS

The Federation of Ibarapa Students’ Association (FIBSA) once again finds itself at the centre of an avoidable leadership crisis, following the conduct of two parallel elections that produced two claimants to the presidency. While both camps have advanced arguments in defence of their actions, a careful review of events reveals a clear distinction between a procedurally grounded mandate and a parallel exercise born out of unresolved internal disagreement.

The crisis began on December 20, 2025, when the Senate Council, at a sitting held at Baba Aso Hall, Igbole, Igboora and presided over by the Senate President, Sen. Bolatiri Henry Olanrewaju, constituted the Electoral Commission and approved its nominees. That decision represented the collective will of the Senate and laid the constitutional foundation for the 2025/2026 FIBSA election.

Tension arose days later when the leadership of the Electoral Commission was altered on December 26, 2025, without a fresh ratification by the full Senate Council. This development generated resistance, particularly among representatives of Tapa, and introduced uncertainty into an already sensitive process.

In response to the looming crisis, security authorities intervened, and key stakeholders, including the seven indigenous town presidents were engaged. A consensus was reached: the aggrieved parties were given 48 hours to resolve the dispute, failing which the Electoral Commission would proceed with the election. When the ultimatum expired without resolution, the commission acted in line with this collective understanding.

Subsequent decisions on the election date and venue were taken through voting among stakeholders, reinforcing the democratic nature of the process. The Association of Town Presidents later issued a memo endorsing the decision to proceed with the election, further lending collective backing to the process.

Accordingly, the election was held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government, and was chaired by Comr. Salaudeen Faruq as Chairman of the Electoral Commission. In line with established practice, each town president was required to present delegates to vote. Records indicate that delegates were presented by all town presidents except the President from Igangan, who reportedly excused his absence on the grounds of distance to Ibarapa East.

Despite this absence, the election proceeded as scheduled and culminated in the emergence and immediate inauguration of Comr. Suliamon Lekan Oyalowo as President of FIBSA.

However, the matter did not end there. The Senate President, Sen. Bolatiri Henry Olanrewaju, alongside the Executive President, Comr. Rokeeq A. Adeegbe, rejected the Saturday election, citing zoning considerations specifically, the view that the chairman of the Electoral Commission should not originate from the same town as the president.

On this basis, a parallel Electoral Commission was recognized, with Comr. Sangotunde Taiwo Idris acting as Chairman. This faction conducted another election on Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Ayete, which produced Comr. Abass Adesola Olaniyi as President.

This second election, while reflecting the position of its organizers, occurred after a president had already emerged through a process backed by earlier Senate approval, stakeholder resolutions, a town presidents’ supporting memo, and democratic voting. As such, it stands as a parallel exercise, rather than a continuation of the original electoral process chaired by Comr. Salaudeen Faruq.

It is important to stress that this editorial does not dismiss the concerns raised by the Senate and executive leadership. Zoning principles and institutional authority matter. However, democratic systems thrive on consistency, and rules invoked after outcomes are declared weaken institutions rather than strengthen them.

In practical terms, therefore, Comr. Suliamon Lekan Oyalowo stands as the president produced by the earlier and procedurally stronger election, while Comr. Abass Adesola Olaniyi emerged from a parallel poll chaired by Comr. Sangotunde Taiwo Idris amid unresolved institutional disputes.

Beyond personalities, the recurring emergence of parallel governments during FIBSA elections points to deeper structural flaws. Personal ambition, factional interests, and external political influence continue to overshadow the collective good of Ibarapa students. Until these issues are addressed through constitutional clarity, independent arbitration, and sincere leadership, such crises may remain a recurring feature.

FIBSA now stands at a defining moment. The association must choose between entrenching division or recommitting to unity, transparency, and respect for due process. The future of student representation in Ibarapa depends on that choice.