By; Press Councilđď¸
In the heart of one of Nigeriaâs largest polytechnics, a storm is brewing not one born of protest or dissent in the streets, but of hushed voices, sealed lips, and paper trails that vanish before theyâre found.
Whispers have surfaced regarding the misuse of funds allocated for student welfare. These funds, entrusted to the Studentâs Union for the benefit of all, have become a source of confusion, allegations, and unaccounted transactions. Receipts, official documents meant to track and justify expenses were reportedly issued for transactions not approved through proper channels. Even more troubling, key financial officers were unaware such transactions had even occurred.
An internal member has raised the alarm, revealing that the responsibility for issuing receipts and maintaining their financial records does not lie with the treasurer, as commonly assumed, but with another arm of the financial structure. This has thrown open the door to deeper questions: Who is truly in charge of the Unionâs finances? Who benefits from this lack of transparency?
During a tense interrogation, attempts to gain clarity were met with silence and evasion. Despite the gravity of the matter, key leaders failed to provide explanations. Claims that bundles of receipt were distributed in previous meetings only further muddled the situation. While some members insists that all funds should be recorded and deposited into the Unionâs official account within a specific timeframe, these procedures appear to have been routinely ignored.
Beyond the financial murkiness, darker tales emerged swirl of intimidation, physical threats, and the alleged use of charms in power struggles. One affected party claimed that their life was at risk merely for speaking out. Another expressed remorse but urged that investigations be comprehensive, involving all those connected to the alleged misconduct, not just selected individuals.
Yet, amidst all this, silence remains the loudest response. Questions surrounding financial mismanagement, student welfare funds, and potential misconduct remain unanswered. While there are calls through open letters and public statements but progress stalls each time behind closed doors and guarded tongues.
What was once a proud chamber of student leadership now feels like a haunted hall. Observers describe it as a âparliament of owlsâ a place once symbolic of wisdom and guidance, now reduced to murmurs and misdirection. Rather than acting as guardians of student interests, these owls seem entangled in self-preserving tactics, their actions far removed from constitutional duty or ethical responsibility.
This decay of trust has not gone unnoticed. Students, once hopeful about change, are beginning to lose faith. Governance has given way to confusion. Leadership has surrendered to ego. And amid the growing darkness, transparency a fundamental pillar of any democratic union has become a rare commodity.
But there is still a path forward.
The members of this Union must pause. They must reflect. They must remember the purpose of their positions not as ladders for personal ambition, but as platforms for collective service. The crisis at hand is not just about missing money or unsigned documents; it is about the erosion of values that once held the Union together.
Only through a collective reckoning marked by honesty, accountability, and genuine service can the parliament of owls hope to regain its wings.
Until then, the students wait.
Watching. Listening. Remembering.
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