ESUT Vice Chancellor Hails Peaceful, Transparent SUG Election Amidst Cultism Concerns

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, has commended security agencies and stakeholders for their impartial roles in ensuring a peaceful and transparent Students’ Union Government (SUG) election. The election, held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, proceeded successfully despite attempts by certain elements to undermine the process.

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For the past one year, there has been misinformation, interference and blackmail against the University Management regarding the SUG election. The reality is that Management has been confronting dark forces represented by cult groups seeking to take over the leadership of the Students’ Union Government in ESUT.

Prof. Okolie revealed that 42 aspirants were disqualified for failing to attend a mandatory security screening conducted by the Nigeria Police Force. These aspirants were suspected of having ties to cult groups, leading to their automatic disqualification in line with ESUT's strict zero-tolerance policy on cultism. The Vice Chancellor noted that for the past year, the university management has faced misinformation and blackmail aimed at halting the election, attributing these efforts to "dark forces represented by cult groups" seeking to control the SUG leadership.

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We will not allow that because ESUT Management maintains a zero-tolerance stance on cultism.

"We will not allow that because ESUT Management maintains a zero-tolerance stance on cultism," Prof. Okolie asserted. He expressed deep concern over the increasing prevalence of cult-related activities in higher institutions across Enugu State and called upon the Visitor to the University, Governor Peter Mbah, to investigate the alleged malfeasances surrounding the SUG elections to identify and prosecute those responsible.

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As Chairman of the state-owned tertiary institutions in Enugu State, I am deeply concerned that cult-related activities are becoming prevalent across higher institutions in the state.

The Vice Chancellor described the electronic voting system used for the election as a key factor in its success. The system ensured that each eligible student could cast only one vote, with results displayed in real-time, thereby eliminating manipulation and violence. Prof. Okolie suggested that this e-voting technology could be extended to other voting processes in Nigeria, serving as a model for grooming future political leaders through transparent and violence-free elections. He affirmed that the university management remained neutral, as all contestants were students of the institution.

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The Vice Chancellor described the SUG election, held on Tuesday, as peaceful, credible and transparent, noting that it was conducted electronically to eliminate manipulation and violence.