Should existence of political parties be encouraged in universities: The UNN case.

It is Saturday morning. Thankfully, the mist and rain were on vacation. I went out to jog in the university's stadium. Stadium not filled because of the two-weeks semester break forced on students, many were already at home. Apart from working out, i met and mingled with pals that were still around. We gisted, talked and tried reconnecting.

Amidst the perspiration soaking up the clothes, beads of it dropping from temples and making beelines on faces of the weight-losers and keep-fitters, i managed to find this big cute dog "Perry" taking a walk with its walker, Ifeanyi. I love dogs, cute dogs, though i never really owned one. But the sight of the dog, a bullmistif, resurrected that urge of having one exclusively for myself. Isn't it cute? Lol.
But that is not my main story. Sometime later, late morning, i left stadium and decided to take a walk around school. Since the whole brouhaha of "mid-semester break", i have not checked out the school environment. Everything looked normal, except the random groups of students here and there i am supposed to see on Saturdays were not available.
Walking through the vertical long road of Freedom Square, trying to connect to Okpara hall, i passed Political Science department. Something caught my attention. Four banners/flags were hanged loosely together on the wall of the department. I went closer to take a look. As i walked, i remembered my brother had mentioned something like formation of political parties within political science department of the school.

Hear him:
"They are now officially teaching Pol Science students how to shout like market women and campaign like all these politicians. You will always hear them screaming whenever they are having lectures. You know the worst thing? Joining the parties and campaigning is a course on its own." He finished with a silent disapproval plying on his face.

I never took the news serious. I waved it off with a smile. But as i got closer now, i realised, maybe i should have taken it serious. 

While i was taking the pictures, two men were behind, involved in a conversation. They appeared to have ignored what i was doing. On my way out, they called for my attention.

One of them: Are you from America? why are you taking pictures?

Me: No, i am not. I just find creation of political parties in a university surprising.

Them: (with all smiles laced in pride) That is pol science for you. We groom the students to be exposed in this before time.

Me: (smiling) Okay. That is nice. Are you from this department?

One of them continued: No, we are not. From a nearby department. But i am very aware of the happenings in this department. This is good for them, for those of them nurturing SUG ambition and bigger ambitions of going into mainstream politics in the future. In the future, even SUG aspirants will be part of a party before they can contest.

Me: (obviously my surprise showed) Really? But is it the school that is gunning for this or the department?

They alternate in responses.
One: it is the department.
Other: once they get the school authority to accept it, it will be easier.

Later, we exchanged pleasantries. I departed.

But as i left, i still had this nagging feeling of "how right is it to create political parties in a university and mandate SUG aspirants to belong to it before they can contest". What if these parties metamorphose into cults? How will they be monitored? What extent of freedom will they allowed to operate on?

But all in all, i am proud of this move by the department. Early exposure prepares the students for what lies ahead. But these questions still disturb me,

See the pictures after the cut.