Violence, anarchy, bloodbath and death looms in the University of Uyo as four different cult groups battle to install their nominees for the Office of the President, Student Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
Ahead of the polls, tension and apprehension have pervaded the university community as the four Presidential aspirants vying for the Office are alleged to be sponsored by the different confraternities on campus with allegations of voters’ intimidation by the different gangs.
The aspirants though from different faculties in the university are said to have the backing of their various cult groups, each vowing to produce the next SUG President.
The Presidential aspirants are Blessing Michael aka Abdulsalam Oluwa from the Faculty of Agriculture, Nsemeke Marcus from the Faculty of Arts, Nyong Ukana Ikpa of the Social Science Faculty and Kufre Samuel from the Faculty of Engineering.
While a former NAKISS Worldwide President is alleged to be backing Nyong Ukana Ikpa, other student godfathers with affiliation to politicians close to government of Akwa Ibom State are also behind other aspirants.
Nsemeke Marcus of the Arts Faculty was alleged to have last week held a meeting with some cult groups who called themselves Joint Task Force (JTF) at Penguin Bar along Ikpa Road in Uyo. The meeting was allegedly also attended by heads and representatives of other cult groups supporting him for the election.
An aide to Governor Udom Emmanuel was also alleged to have also met with leaders of rival cult groups in a hotel in Ewet Housing where he canvassed for their support for his preferred candidate for the SUG election.
Many who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said if both the school management and security agencies in the state do not rise up to the threat posed by the cult groups, the forthcoming student election may snowball into an orgy of violence that may claim lives of innocent students and members of the public.
None of the Presidential aspirants was willing to talk to our reporter when their opinion was sought but a security source in the University said that the Vice Chancellor was aware of the crisis and has taken all necessary steps to ensure that the prevailing peace on campus is not jeopardized.
