ABSU: Row over aspirants’ disqualification from election
Authorities at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, has indefinitely suspended the 2025/2026 Students’ Union Government (SUG) election following a series of events that exposed deep political divisions within the campus
- School suspends exercise
Authorities at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, has indefinitely suspended the 2025/2026 Students’ Union Government (SUG) election following a series of events that exposed deep political divisions within the campus community. CALEB OKECHUKWU (ABSU) reports.
What began as routine campaign activities gradually evolved into controversy, disqualification, protest, and ultimately, administrative intervention, thus authorities at
Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, had no choice but to indefinitely suspend the 2025/2026 Students’ Union Government (SUG) election following a series of events that exposed deep political divisions within the campus community.
Campaign Posters Mysteriously Removed
Tensions first surfaced on Monday, February 16, 2026, when students woke up to discover that campaign banners belonging to one of the five presidential aspirants, Chris Onuoha, had been removed from several strategic locations across the campus.
The sudden disappearance triggered speculation among students, many of whom suspected political sabotage. However, none of the other aspirants publicly accepted responsibility.
Though the incident stirred conversation across faculties, campaigning continued as students anticipated the Friday election.
Disqualification Shocks Campus
The political atmosphere shifted dramatically when news broke that two aspirants — Nicholas Emmanuel Chimaobi of Mechanical Engineering and Undensi Chukwuemeka — had been disqualified from the race by the Students’ Union Government Electoral Commission (SUGECO).
The development reduced the number of cleared candidates to three and generated confusion among students, many of whom said the reasons were unclear at the time.
Shortly after, a letter began circulating on WhatsApp alleging that Nicholas had been disqualified because he was not an indigene of Abia State. The aspirant later distanced himself from the circulating statement, saying it did not originate from him.
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In its official press release, the university stated that the disqualification was based on security concerns and warned against actions capable of disrupting academic activities.
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Protest on Election Day
On the election day — supporters of the disqualified aspirant staged a protest across parts of the campus, describing the decision as unjust.
The protest disrupted the planned voting process and prompted swift action from the University management.
In a memo signed by the Public Relations Officer, Dr. Chijioke Nwogu, the Vice Chancellor announced the indefinite suspension of the election, dissolution of the electoral committee, and continuation of the current SUG executive until a new date is announced.
The school also disclosed that an investigation would be conducted into both the security concerns surrounding the disqualification and the subsequent protest.
Students were advised to remain calm and law-abiding.
Students React
Reactions among students reflected the sharp divisions surrounding the election.
Chukwuebuka Gabriel, a 500-level Electrical Engineering student and course mate of Nicholas Emmanuel, described the disqualification as unfair.
“Nicholas happens to be my course mate, and he’s the candidate I support,” he said. “He has been consistent in creating tangible projects in the school, and he is competent. I think the disqualification was unfair.”
When asked about allegations that non-indigenes of Abia State are often disqualified from contesting SUG positions, he added: “It’s true students who are not from Abia State are usually disqualified, and I feel it’s greatly unfair.”
However, not all students shared that view
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A 300-level Medicine and Surgery student, who preferred anonymity, said he supported Chris Onuoha partly because of departmental affiliation.
“He’s in Medicine and Surgery too, so him being from Medsurg means that any dividend coming from the SUG will get to us,” he said.
On the disqualification, he added: “Although some speculate it was because he is not from Abia State, I think it was for security reasons as the school stated. Also, as the name ‘Abia State University’ implies, I think it’s only right that the SUG President should be a student from Abia State.”
Similarly, Amgrateful, a 100-level Human Physiology student, expressed support for Onuoha and defended the idea of indigene leadership.
Laughing, she said: “I’m from Abia State. This is our university. I feel only Abia State students should be SUG Presidents.”
Other students took a more neutral stance
Daniella Ufegbu, a 300-level Medicine student, said she had no preferred candidate but prioritised competence.
“I just wanted any competent person to win,” she said. “I don’t think his disqualification was because he’s not from Abia State, but if it’s true, I think it’s unfair. Every student should have the right to contest.”
Onyekwe Lucky Evidence, a 100-level Management student, also had no preferred candidate but criticised what he described as ethnic bias.
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“I think it’s unfair for the school to disqualify students who are not from Abia State. That’s tribalistic,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ucheoma William Ngozi, a 100-level Education and Political Science student, said she supported Nicholas Emmanuel because she believed he had a “good name,” reflecting the varied factors influencing student choices.
Political Parallels
Beyond campus, some students drew parallels between Nicholas Emmanuel’s disqualification and the political experience of former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
They argued that the aspirant’s growing popularity may have influenced events leading to his disqualification, although such claims remain opinions among sections of the student body and have not been officially confirmed.
Uncertain Future
With the election suspended and the electoral committee dissolved, uncertainty now surrounds when a new date will be announced.
For many students, the episode has sparked broader reflection about leadership, fairness, and the nature of democracy within the university setting.
As ABSU moves to reconstitute its electoral body and restore calm, the campus community awaits a process many hope will be more transparent, peaceful, and widely accepted.
