…as Lawyers, Activists condemn Action, Demand Release of Detained Students

…University Mgt reacts says students were not arrested

Kenneth Udeh

A tense atmosphere gripped the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday following the visit of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who was billed to deliver a lecture titled “Nigeria of Our Dreams” at the prestigious Oduduwa Hall.

His expected arrival triggered protests from hundreds of students who accused the former Rivers State governor of representing everything they have historically resisted tyranny, elitism, corruption, and anti-student governance.

The SUN gathered that Days before the visit, student groups had issued warnings to the university management, calling for an immediate revocation of Wike’s invitation. Protest banners and placards bore inscriptions such as “Oduduwa Hall is Sacred! Keep Tyrants Out!” and “Wike is Persona Non Grata!”

In their statement, the students accused Wike of using the Federal Capital Territory Administration to demolish homes and silence dissent while aligning himself with the ruling class at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.

They demanded that the university revoke the invitation, convene an emergency congress to democratically deliberate on the matter, and cease using the campus as a platform to “launder the image of tyrants.”

An activist Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, in a scathing statement titled “As Bulldozer Wike Dares the Indomitable Great Ife Legacy”, accused the school’s management of betraying the university’s radical tradition by inviting a “tyrannical figure” to speak on campus.

“Wike thinks he can pocket Great Ife?” Ajayi wrote. “This is a mockery of our heritage of resistance. We don’t take nonsense from members of the ruling elite.

“The same Oduduwa Hall that once saw former President Goodluck Jonathan pelted with water in 2016 has now been desecrated by this insult.”

Ajayi challenged the Students’ Union, led by Dr. Bush, to live up to the Great Ife legacy and issue a strong position against what he described as “an ironic and embarrassing lecture.”

However as at 8 a.m. on Thursday, large numbers of students had gathered outside Oduduwa Hall chanting anti-Wike slogans and resisting entry into the venue. Protesters claimed that the hall, a symbolic space in the university’s activist history, should not host individuals they consider oppressive.

At around 12:30 p.m., some students dispersed amid reports that the event may have been canceled. However, the minister’s helicopter landed at the university’s main bowl an hour later, under heavy security.

Witnesses said it took more than two hours for Wike to be “smuggled” into the venue as protesters blocked access routes and chanted defiant songs.

Inside the hall, the audience reportedly consisted largely of Law students, staff, and security personnel, with the majority of students outside protesting.

Midway through Wike’s address, two students Kelechi Ejike and Joshua Temitope Oladepo interrupted the session, demanding justice for Abuja residents whose homes were allegedly demolished under Wike’s FCT administration.

Security operatives, including officials believed to be from the Department of State Services (DSS), forcibly removed the duo from the venue, causing momentary chaos. Protesters outside decried what they called a clampdown on dissent.

University Management reacts says students not arrested

Despite footage showing the students being dragged out of the hall, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, denied that anyone was arrested. He claimed they were merely “escorted out” to prevent an altercation.

“Only two students tried to disrupt the event. Their colleagues were already descending on them, and to prevent injury, security officials removed them. They were not arrested,” Olarewaju told The SUN.

Students and eyewitnesses disputed this claim, stating that Ejike and Oladepo were taken first to the university’s internal security unit, known as “Floor 0” in the Senate Building, and later moved to Moore Police Station. A student source said: “They wanted to take them away to Abuja, but the security unit here resisted and intervened.”

Legal Practitioners react

Lawyers under the law firm NEWWORTH LLP have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the university and security forces demanding the release of the detained students. In a statement signed by Lead Partner Ayo Ademiluyi, Esq., the lawyers described the arrest as a “gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution” and warned of legal action.

“Freedom of expression is a constitutional right. These students were arrested for raising placards during a public lecture. If they are not released within 24 hours, we will initiate legal proceedings in public interest,” the statement read.

Similarly, the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA) and the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) condemned the arrests and called for immediate release. “This shows the creeping despotism in Nigerian campuses,” said Adaramoye Michael, ERC’s National Mobilisation Officer.

Meanwhile, the Students’ Union spokesperson, Aka Daniel, admitted that the union was still verifying the details. “I wasn’t at the event and haven’t received a full report. We’re still trying to gather facts,” he said.

Wike Defends His Record in Lecture

Despite the protests, Wike delivered his lecture, defending his actions in Abuja and arguing that leadership requires bold, often unpopular decisions.

“Poor people don’t own houses in Maitama or Asokoro; it’s the rich who avoid taxes. But I will touch them. Heaven will not fall. Leadership is not a popularity contest,” Wike said.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for his decisiveness and reiterated that no one is above the law in the Federal Capital Territory.

The event, which took place in Ile-Ife, the capital of Osun State, also had in attendance the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Benue State former governor, Samuel Ortom.

As at the time of filing this report the SUN are yet to confirm the whereabouts of the students, however there are reports that the students converged at the Moore Police station demanding their release.

Obafemi Awolowo University, popularly known as “Great Ife,” has a long-standing tradition of radical student activism. In 2016, students booed and pelted former President Goodluck Jonathan during a visit, rejecting his policies and demanding accountability.