33rd LASUSU Elections: Mubarak Oriyomi Discusses His Political Philosophy, Experience and LASUSU Politics

Similoluwa Ifedayo 

In LASU, politics is a hot topic. From the LASUSU level to the FACULTY races, there is always something to talk about when it comes to politics. And with such a divisive political climate, it's no wonder that LASUites are increasingly interested in learning more about the aspirant's political views. 

The 33rd LASUSU General Elections, which is by far, the biggest political event in the Lagos State University, in which the next set of students executives, that will represent the interest of students before school management, as well as the national level will elected is set to hold in 2023 and a lot, undoubtedly has been said about the annual election. 

Speaking with ACJ-LASU in an exclusive interview on Tuesday evening, Comrade Mubarak Oriyomi fondly called Kappa and an , discusses his views on students' politics, his philosophy as well as the political outlook of the current LASUSU administration.

Please, can you introduce yourself?

KAPPA: I am Comrade Salami Mubarak Oriyomi, popularly known as Kappa. I am a 200-level student of the Department of Science and Technology Education, Chemistry Education Unit (Faculty of Education). I am also, the 36th ESAN LASU Public Relations Officer and the Chief Whip of the 5th NULDS LASU Divisional Representative Council.

How would you describe your political ideology, your political beliefs and how they align with the growth of LASU students' community?

KAPPA: My political ideology is that politics is a platform to serve people and holding offices gives you a wider space to serve to the best of your ability. Unionism is the politics played in schools, I believe that it's necessary to have that part that oversees students' affairs, and also fights for students' rights on and off campus. Unionism also sees to the affairs of students and how they fare on campus, then definitely it no doubt plays a key role in the growth of our students and that of the school.

What are your thoughts on the current state of Politics at LASU?

KAPPA: In three sentences: Fair and striving. As change is constant, so is progress. It can always get better.

What makes you different from other candidates and what are the issues you have identified as well as your plan to solve them?

KAPPA: I am different because I am already a known PR and media person, which makes it less difficult. I must also commend the current Public Relations Officer as he has done wonderfully well and with no doubt made the office a treasure to seek. Following his footsteps, there is little to do, fulfill the Constitution's duties and deliver as expected of you. 

The rate of political apathy among LASUites is high, do you have any ideas to ensure more participation in the election?

KAPPA: We must sell it to the students that the students' union is solely to serve them and nothing more. We must attend to their callings at any time and we must always fight in their interest, by this, they feel more entitled to the union and they will give themselves the task of appointing competent ones into the union. So this way, they want to participate fully in the affairs of the union.

Have you ever been involved in politics outside of voting? What was your experience like?

KAPPA: By nature, I am a political person. I started practising partisan politics at the ward level before my admission. As a fresher on campus, I was part of those assigned by the faculty to campaign for the 5 faculty mandates during the last LASUSU election. I was their official graphics person, I did designs and made BCs for them all through that period. I also contested against a very strong candidate who was also a fresher at that time and won with at least 150 votes. All around, it's been a wonderful experience.

Can you explain one thing you wish non-politicians understood better?

KAPPA: Politics is a platform to serve humanity and political apathy shouldn't be a thing.

What do you think about the position of the Office of Public Relations at LASU? Are there things that could be done better?

KAPPA: It's not a difficult office but I feel being a PR person and an influencer before attaining the office gives you an edge as you are already a known person before the office. Something must first come to mind for anyone planning to take up the mantle, and that's the constitutional duties. If you can achieve all that is stated in the Constitution then you can boldly say that you've done your part and that you've achieved and fulfilled all that is there to achieve and fulfil. There are also other programs and physical projects that can as well come from the office of the Public Relations Officer. I wouldn't want to disclose too much because it's not manifesto time.