Ghanaian musician Guru NKZ, whose real name is Maradona Adjei Yeboah, has been disqualified from contesting in the University of Ghana’s Students’ Representative Council (UGSRC) General Election. The decision was made by the UGSRC Vetting Committee after a thorough review of the candidates’ qualifications.
According to the comprehensive vetting report released by the UGSRC on August 16, 2024, Guru NKZ was vying for the position of President, with his running mate Jeffery Adu-Yeboah. However, the committee found that Guru NKZ did not meet one of the critical criteria for eligibility – being a resident of a hall of residence (JCR) at the university.
The vetting committee referred to Article 30 (1)(a) of the UGSRC Constitution, which clearly states that a candidate must be qualified to contest as an Executive Officer of their hall of residence in order to be eligible for an executive position within the UGSRC. Guru NKZ, being a non-resident student, did not satisfy this requirement, leading to his disqualification.
This disqualification also affects the entire Presidential and Vice Presidential ticket, as per Article 4 (d)(ii) of the Constitutional Instrument (CI 24), which stipulates that if either the Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate on a ticket does not meet the necessary requirements, the entire ticket is disqualified. As a result, both Guru NKZ and his running mate, Jeffery Adu-Yeboah, are no longer eligible to participate in the upcoming elections.
In addition to Guru NKZ’s disqualification, another Presidential aspirant, Lawrence Edinam Egleh, also faced the same fate for the same reason. Both candidates’ non-resident status was confirmed during the vetting process, leaving only three pairs of Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates in the race.
The UGSRC vetting process was conducted with a focus on ensuring that all candidates adhered to the constitutional requirements. The final list of eligible candidates includes Emmanuel Mensah & Justice Mbawin Abugri, Nii Afoley Odai & Abigail Ohenewaa Addai, and Blessing Mantey & Martin Agbefia.
The disqualification of Guru NKZ, a high-profile figure in the entertainment industry, has sparked conversations across campus and beyond, as many were keen to see how his involvement in student politics would unfold. His bid for the UGSRC Presidency was seen as an unusual yet bold move, reflecting his desire to influence and contribute to student governance.
The UGSRC Electoral Commission has emphasized its commitment to transparency and parity throughout the electoral process. The Commission has assured students and stakeholders that the election will proceed with only the candidates who meet all constitutional requirements.