20/09/2025
PROTEST LETTER DEMANDING THE DISQUALIFICATION OF THE CANDIDATURE OF AMAECHI WALSON TONYE O. AND THE DECLARATION OF URANGYORK, BETHEL MARK AS THE LAWFUL WINNER IN THE STUDENT UNION GOVERNMENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT HELD ON AUGUST 22, 2025.
September 1, 2025
The Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council,
University of Port Harcourt
Choba, Port Harcourt
Rivers State
Dear Chairman and Pro-Chancellor,
PROTEST LETTER DEMANDING THE DISQUALIFICATION OF THE CANDIDATURE OF AMAECHI WALSON TONYE O. AND THE DECLARATION OF URANGYORK, BETHEL MARK AS THE LAWFUL WINNER IN THE STUDENT UNION GOVERNMENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT HELD ON AUGUST 22, 2025.
We are solicitors and our services are retained by Urangyork, Bethel Mark, hereinafter referred to as our “CLIENT,” and it is on his behalf and firm authority we are writing to you as his legal representative. It is the brief of our client that he’s a third-year student in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry at the University of Port Harcourt, and holds matriculation number U2022/5581043. Our client contested for the position of President of the Students’ Union Government during the elections conducted on August 22, 2025.
Our client posited that he is a registered student of the University of Port Harcourt and a member of the Students’ Union Government. And that, He, along with two other candidates, were screened and subsequently cleared by the electoral and security committee, as announced by the electoral committee led by Comrd. Igbifa Utonro-Owaji Eric. This clearance was based on the premise that all candidates complied with the electoral guidelines and the provisions of extant laws laid out in the Students' Union Constitution as revised for the 2024/2025 session, as well as the University of Port Harcourt General Regulations and Statement of Academic Policies, 2019/2020, particularly at Article 2.3.
Our client briefed us that on election day, the candidates' names were printed on the ballot as follows: Tonye W. O., Urangyork B., and Kpodede T. Following the conclusion of the voting process, Tonye W. O. was declared the winner of the election.
It is with grave concern that we address what we perceive to be a significant issue that could tarnish the esteemed reputation of the University of Port Harcourt. As our client formally contests the declaration of Tonye W. O. as the winner of the Student Union Government presidential election. We assert that, based on emerging and verifiable facts, no registered student by the name Amaechi Walson Tonye O. or Tonye W. O. exists as a student of University of Port Harcourt; and we hold firmly that all registered students at the University have undertaken the Academic Year Matriculation Pledge, mandating compliance with the University's General Regulations and Statement of Academic Policies, as outlined in Article 2.3(d). consequently, where a student is in breach of his pledge, such a student must be punished for flagrantly breaking the rules of the university.
Our client has been briefed on the implications of Article 2.3(a) and (b) of the General Regulations and Statement of Academic Policies, particularly regarding their relevance to the outcome of the Students' Union Government election. As stipulated in these provisions, only candidates with consistent names in official records should be allowed to contest in elections. Therefore, given that Tonye W. O. has violated these regulations, he should not be eligible for the election outcome declaration.
We hold the University accountable for maintaining its integrity as an institution of high standards, in building character and learning, it cannot be an enabler of perjury, therefore, we anticipate that it will not condone any breach of its established rules and policies.
Furthermore, it has come to our attention that Walson, Olazia Amaechi, with matriculation number U2023/5572096, whose name closely resembles that of the declared winner, is seen in the video circulating widely on campus, which further questions the legitimacy of his candidature.
In light of the aforementioned concerns, we submit that the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, and the Election Petition Panel, should conduct a thorough investigation into the election process that cleared Tonye W. O.'s eligibility. Take Appropriate Action based on its findings, and take necessary steps to disqualify Tonye W. O. as deterrent to other students.
The declaration of Tonye W. O. is erroneous, representing both perjury and electoral fraud the school cannot condone by closing its eyes to this perjury. We hereby urge the University of Port Harcourt’s Governing Council, the Election Petition Panel, along with all relevant authorities to enforce the General Rules by disqualifying Tonye W. O. and declaring Urangyork, Bethel Mark, as the rightful winner of the election having scored the highest lawful votes of 273 against ThankGod Neemene Kpodee 75 votes.
Our client has been duly informed of his rights and privileges as outlined in Article 5.1. of the Students’ Union Government Constitution of the University of Port Harcourt Should the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt or the Electoral Petition Panel and all the authorities and policy makers within the University fail to address this matter satisfactorily within seven days of receiving this letter, we will have no alternative but to seek recourse through the appropriate judicial channels to advocate for our client's rights.
Trusting in the integrity of the Governing Council of The University of Port Harcourt, andrecognisingg that the larger society is watching and waiting for its decision, we are of the firm belief that the principles of fairness, transparency and justice will be given to this petition.
We trust that wisdom will prevail in resolving this matter expeditiously.
Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue.
Yours sincerely,
Awoere D. Lawson, Esq.
For: HEGEMONY LAW FIRM
Cc:
The Chairman and Pro-Chancellor
Governing Council, University of Port Harcourt
Choba, Port Harcourt
Rivers State.
The Vice-Chancellor
University of Port Harcourt
Choba, Port Harcourt
Rivers State.
The Dean of Student Affairs
University of Port Harcourt
Choba, Port Harcourt
Rivers State.
