Lecturers Rig Elections For Politicians And Expel Students For Exam Malpractice – Jonathan, Wole Soyinka

Nigeria is the only country where professors rig elections for politicians but expel students for examination malpractice. Professor Wole has made this statement with the current situations that are occurring in universities as well as the political situations in the country.

Professor Wole also had shown lots of dissatisfaction towards the situation of cultism in the country. According to him, he thought in his days why cultism was introduce was not to go against one another, but to protect, love and stand for each other. He showed lots of dissatisfaction towards how Nigerians have taken cultism to another level, which is totally unacceptable for him as a person.

Jonathan,, also lamented that some of the nation’s universities had become breeding grounds for cultism which constitute a major obstacle to national development, civilization and social transformation.

He said:  “Over time, the place of the academia in our democratic process has become more pronounced, with more members taking the centre stage in election administration in the country.

“The involvement of the academia in our electoral process is premised on the assumption that academics are people of proven integrity who cannot be compromised. Many of them have actually been at the forefront of the campaign for transparency in elections and sustainability of democracy on the continent.

“The involvement of the academia in the management of elections is, therefore, a good idea. However, our scholars should know that they bear the responsibility of justifying the trust placed on them by other members of the society in the management of elections.

“Any member of the academia who compromises what he stands for, by getting involved in the manipulation of elections, betrays that trust.

“It is instructive that while on election duty, these eggheads work with youths, especially members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who are usually deployed as ad-hoc staff on election days.

“It is dangerous for members of the academia to get involved in election malpractices because of its wider implication for the future of our country. Once the youth corps members observe these lecturers and professors who they hold in high esteem attempt to change or falsify elections results, they might begin to see such criminality as the new norm in our country.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to members of the academia that get recruited for election duties to do the right thing and not compromise their integrity, no matter the pressure on them.

“In concluding, let me reiterate that for our own survival as a people, there is the urgent need for the overhaul of our educational system. If we must remain competitive as a nation, our universities should produce the kind of workforce that will make Nigeria economically viable.

“Universities, as centres of learning, should not produce misguided graduates who behave like dangerous robots by getting involved in crimes.

“Our universities should produce rational beings that will be able to distinguish between good and bad. It is the responsibility of the universities to create humanists, scientists and engineers with moral and ethical standing. They, in turn, will be the ones to build the robots that would power our industries and our economy, to make the lives of our citizens more meaningful.’’