A group of former and present students of Florida A&M University (FAMU) have sued to stop the presidential election that is set for next week, claiming that the selection procedure is against university rules, according to a WCTV report. The lawsuit, which was submitted to the Leon County Circuit Court, alleges that FAMU's search committee did not adhere to the correct protocols when selecting applicants for the position of next leader.

The lawsuit alleges that the selection of Marva Johnson was “predetermined in violation of the state Constitution.” The plaintiffs argue that this small pool ignores FAMU's duty to recruit elite leadership across the country. One plaintiff, who wished to remain anonymous, stated in the complaint, "This hurried process undermines the integrity of our institution."

“To date, we do not feel heard,” Kimberly Godwin, a FAMU alumna and former president of ABC News, told the board during a recent meeting. “Marva Johnson is not ready to lead the nation’s number one public HBCU. Ms. Johnson did not earn this. She does not have the best résumé. She did not have a good on-campus interview. She appeared unprepared and shortsighted and did not present well to our stakeholders.”

According to documents obtained by Attorneys Mutaqee Akbar and Ennis Jacobs, the 154-page civil lawsuit was filed in Leon County’s Second Judicial Circuit.

“Upon reason and belief, Plaintiffs assert that extraordinary pressure was exerted on the members of the search committee regarding secrecy, causing a deep chill among committee members to avoid risks of any disclosure of search process information,” the lawsuit states.

The plaintiffs are asking a judge to intervene ahead of the BOG vote to confirm Johnson as FAMU President on June 18, and also asked that the FAMU Board of Trustees hire an independent consultant to conduct an investigation into the search process.