Following controversial events at the Jaw War: Rise of Legends Hall Quarter-Finals which took place yesterday, 5th December, 2024, the Great Independence Hall Literary and Debating Society, has released a public statement condemning the actions of The Literary and Debating Society, UI in declaring them losers of yesterday’s Jaw War round against Queen Idia Hall without providing the results, despite a previous resolution from the society; an action cited as an “intentional, carefully thought-out attempt to publicly embarrass and disgrace the representatives of the Great Independence Hall Literary and Debating Society and the Great Independence Hall at large”.
According to the statement, controversy first arose on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 when it was realised that both Indy and Idia had written speeches on the same side of their motion. The mix-up appeared to have originated from an error in the speaker-pack which was later addressed, oblivious to the Indy L&D.
Upon discovery, the issue was tabled before the TLDS President, Ogonna Okere and Vice President, Favour Odiaka. After a series of back and forths, including; Indy supposedly being directed to write new speeches, a subsequent cancellation of the directive by Ogonna with term such as a deduction of points — rejected by Indy — proposed, alleged coercion to accept these terms by Ogonna also, and a heated argument on TLDS Senators WhatsApp group among others, an agreement was finally made.
The terms of the agreement were such:
- Both constituencies would speak on the same side.
- The judging would be fair without putting the issue at hand into consideration.
- Judges would only be told that the two constituencies would be speaking on the same side and they should judge the speeches independently
- The identity of whoever it seemed the fault was from would be kept anonymous from the judges to ensure fairness. And lastly, the deduction penalty would not stand.
However, following the conclusion of the debate round, results were not announced, with Idia declared the winner, by default.
The statement further called “on everyone, especially the Senate representatives of other constituencies to join us in reversing this injustice. Remember that an injury to one is an injury to all” and that the Society “would pursue all means legally possible, within the laws of the society and the University, to undo the grave injustice done to the Great Independence Hall today”.
Speaking with the Press, the President of the Great Independence Literary and Debating Society, Orekeyi Justice said, “The past few days have been very hard on my L&D, and the events of last night has made it worse in ways we can’t put into words. What have been deeply worrisome are the inefficient and complacent leadership of TLDS, their lack of transparency, and the blatant disrespect for constituencies and their efforts, which is the cause of all the issues we’ve seen throughout this competition. All I sincerely hope for is that this ugly precedent is not set, as its impact would not be for today alone, but the future too”.
When contacted, the President of the Queen Idia Hall Literary and Debating Society, declined comments, saying, “I do not want to make comments about the situation, especially because TLDS itself has not given an address concerning the situation. So, I can only choose to answer to the press when the tlds has given a clear and truthful account of the situation”.
TLDS UI is yet to make any releases as of Press time.
This is the most recent in a series of controversial events surrounding the Jaw War: Rise of Legends Edition. Prior to the suspension of four faculties yesterday, there had also been a similar situation at the Faculty Preliminaries with Pharmacy and Vet Medicine preparing speeches on the same side of their topic.