ABSU Postpones SUG Elections Indefinitely Following Student Protests

The Management of Abia State University (ABSU) has announced the indefinite postponement of the 2025/2026 Students’ Union Government (SUG) elections following a wave of protests staged by students from the Faculty of Engineering.

The unrest was triggered by the disqualification of a presidential aspirant, Mr. Nicholas Emmanuel Chimaobi, a Mechanical Engineering student, who was barred from contesting by the Students’ Union Government Electoral Commission (SUGECO) on specified "security grounds."

Management’s Position on Disqualification

In a statement signed by Chijioke Nwogu (DR/PRO), the university expressed dismay over the "sponsored protest," alleging that Mr. Chimaobi mobilized students from within the faculty and neighbouring institutions to disrupt the campus peace rather than seeking established internal redress.

Key Directives from the Vice-Chancellor

To safeguard lives and property, the Vice-Chancellor has issued the following immediate orders:

Election Postponement: The 2025/2026 SUG elections are suspended indefinitely. A new date will be communicated, and the process will be reopened for new aspirants.

Dissolution of SUGECO: The current Students’ Electoral Committee has been dissolved, with a new committee to be constituted shortly.

Tenure Extension: The incumbent SUG Executive Council will remain in office until a new leadership is successfully elected.

Investigation: An official probe has been launched into the security concerns surrounding Mr. Chimaobi’s disqualification and his role in the subsequent protests.

While acknowledging the right to express grievances, Management condemned actions that undermine the university’s administration. Students have been advised to remain law-abiding and focused on their academic pursuits, with a stern warning issued to those instigating unrest.

"Management remains resolute in ensuring a peaceful and conducive learning environment," the statement concluded, emphasizing that dialogue remains the only approved channel for conflict resolution.