By: Emmanuel Amoah
The Appeals Board at the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, has reversed the disqualification of Mr. Maradona Adjei Yeboah, popularly known as Guru NKZ, from the University’s Students Representative Council (SRC) presidential election.
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Guru shared the news via social media, stating, “On this side, we don’t lose,” following the board’s decision.
Previously, on August 11, the UGSRC Vetting Committee had disqualified Guru from running, citing his status as a nonresident student. The Judiciary Board later upheld this decision. However, a directive from the Vice Dean has now allowed Guru and his running mate, Jeffery Adu-Yeboah (Jay Lit), to be re-included in the list of presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Campaign spokesperson Andy Asante Okyere Mensah, speaking to Prince Benjamin on Accra 100.5 FM’s Entertainment Capital on August 17, accused the student body and SRC of sabotaging Guru’s campaign. According to him, the disqualification was an attempt to prevent Guru from winning the election by a large margin.
To address the matter, Guru and his team followed protocol, writing to the Electoral Commission (EC), petitioning the Judiciary Board, and contacting the Dean of Students for further clarification. On August 19, Guru and Jay Lit formally petitioned against the disqualification. The petition was submitted to both the Electoral Commission and the Dean of Students’ Office. Additionally, their legal team filed an interim injunction with the Judiciary Board, seeking to halt the electoral process until a proper hearing was conducted.
In their official statement, Guru and Jay Lit emphasized their commitment to representing all students, regardless of their status or background, and expressed faith in the integrity of the Judicial Board to deliver a fair ruling.
Following the granting of the injunction on August 23, Guru updated his followers on Facebook, confirming the suspension of the electoral process.
Guru, a well-known rapper, entrepreneur, and Level 300 student at UG, aims to leverage the presidency to introduce digital student identification and reduce tuition and accommodation fees, among other plans.
The directive reinstating Guru in the election marks a significant turning point in his campaign, as he and his team, under the banner of Maralit 2024, prepare to continue their bid for the UGSRC leadership.
