The president of African Methodist Episcopal Zion University (AMEZU) is said to be interfering in the recent student election that saw his preferred candidates fail to secure victory.
The accusations against the University’s Probation president Emmanuel Johnson also sparked serious outrage among the students, raising concerns about the integrity of the university’s electoral process.
On February 28, 2025, the students of the AMEZU happily exercised their democratic right to vote in what was believed to be a ‘peaceful and transparent’ election at the University Benson Street campus.
A notarized document dated March 6, 2025, from the Independent Election Commission, in the possession of this paper, shows that student Bernice Y. Benbiah was elected president of the senior class after obtaining 89 votes compared to her main rival, Olivia F. Dahn, who got 81 votes.
Students Zokerseh B. Saye, Boakai N’domah, Faith A. Witherspoon and Jacob K. Koilor were all elected as Vice President, Financial Secretary, Secretary General and Chaplin, respectively.
Also, the election for the Student Union Government saw Mark M. Koah win as president with 184 votes, while his main rival obtained 153 votes, and Marshall L. Wee won the Vice President position with 153 votes to his opponent, Angie M. Farley, who obtained 123 votes.
But since the end of the election, these students who were announced as winners are yet to be certificated by the University due to the alleged interference from president Johnson.
Sources from within the University president’s office told this paper that Dr Johnson’s alleged attempts to thwart the results have not only led to the delay in the certification of elected students but also violated the student’s constitutional rights and breached the AMEZU’s own rules and electoral guidelines.
Our sources also revealed several electoral violations of Dr. Johnson, including violation of GPA requirements, interference with the Board of Commissioners, and undue pressure on the Board of Commissioners.
Our sources further narrated that leaders from the Liberia National Student Union (LINSU) launched an investigation into alleged election irregularities raised by defeated candidate Dahn, as said complaint was investigated and a recommendation was sent to Dr. Johnson for action but to no avail.
“On March 11, President Johnson also appointed a seven-men committee to probe into the matter and report its findings within seven days, but I can tell you that till now, the president has yet to release the committee findings.
And worst of it, it is over three weeks now, and the president has yet to act on his own committee report nor to talk about the LINSU report, and we think that his action is deliberate and counterproductive to our institution,” a student speaking on anonymity explained.
According to some students, Dr. Johnson’s alleged refusal to certify their duly elected officials is a blatant attempt to undermine the democratic process and infringe upon their constitutional rights as a student.
“We, as students, have our right to choose our leaders without interference from the administration. As such, Dr. Johnson’s actions are not only a violation of our rights but also a breach of the university’s own rules and electoral guidelines. We will not stand for this,” they added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Johnson, in response to the allegations, vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said, “At no point did I, Dr. Johnson, interfere with or tamper with the outcome of the student elections.”
According to him, the University administration maintains a policy of non-interference in student democratic processes and has only acted by its constitution, academic standards, and institutional procedures.
He, however, clarified that the delay in the certification of elected students has nothing to do with favouritism or alleged electoral manipulation as being incinerated by some students.
Dr Johnson noted, “The delay is due to a complaint filed by a party that participated in the election and cried foul against the electoral body for acts they claim negatively impacted the election result to their detriment.”
“That matter is currently being investigated by an independent body made of high-ranking staff of central administration and Alumni members, and also, the reference to violation of GPA requirements reflects the University’s obligation to enforce eligibility rules—not an act of interference but more besides the issues at hand is not about the eligibility of candidates.
The claims of undue pressure, obstruction, and tampering are baseless, unverified, and defamatory in nature. No formal complaint with credible evidence has been presented to the University by the Independent Election Commission or any other oversight body, including the Liberia National Student Union,” he maintained.
Dr. Johnson added, “So, we encourage all parties, including the media, to seek facts and avoid rushing to publish unfounded allegations. The University remains committed to transparency, fairness, and the promotion of student leadership through democratic means.”
