ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday explained its decision to decline approval for the proposed venue of an event where the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, was billed to deliver a lecture.
The clarification comes after Obi raised concerns over what he described as a troubling pattern of cancelled university engagements across Nigeria, warning that intellectual freedom in higher institutions was under increasing threat.
In a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the management said the organisers of the lecture failed to disclose the profile of the guest until Friday, just a day before the scheduled event.
According to the university, the short notice made it impossible to put in place the necessary security and logistical arrangements required for hosting high-profile personalities.
“The general public is hereby informed that a particular group within the Students body extended an invitation to the former presidential candidate and two-term governor of Anambra State to deliver a lecture within the University premises.
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“It is important to note that events involving high-profile personalities of such standing require adequate prior notification to the university authorities because it will enable the institution to make necessary logistical and security arrangements, including proper liaison with relevant security agencies such as the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to ensure the safety of the guests, members of the university community and the general public.
“Consequently, given the short notice and the attendant inability to complete these critical arrangements, the university authorities could not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event as requested by the organisers,” the statement signed by Olarewaju read.
The management stressed that the decision was based solely on considerations of safety, orderliness, and adherence to established protocols governing the use of university facilities.
It added: “It is not, in any way, a reflection of disregard for the person or status of His Excellency, Peter Obi, whom the university holds in high esteem.”
According to reports, Obi had earlier disclosed in a statement shared on Saturday via X.com that he was scheduled to deliver a keynote lecture at OAU, Ile-Ife, at 9 am before heading to Ibadan for an opposition party’s political summit slated for noon, when he was informed that the event had been cancelled.
The former Anambra State governor noted that the incident was not isolated, revealing that similar cancellations had occurred more than 10 times.
“While such occurrences may be dismissed in isolation, it is important to state clearly that this has now happened more than 10 times.
“This is no longer incidental; it points to a troubling pattern that should concern all well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.