Students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) have warned Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, that he would lose the 2015 governorship election in the state if he does not rescind his decision on the school fees.
The declaration was made at a press conference held in Lagos on Monday.
“When masses say No, No Governor can say Yes,” a placard by one of the students said. “Gov Amosun, listen to the students now or you will…. 2015 election.”
The students have been at loggerheads with the state government since August following their demand for further reduction in the school’s tuition fees and immediate implementation of the reduction.
The state government had earlier announced a reduction which the students said was inadequate. The government also said its reduction would commence from the next academic session.
While addressing journalists at a media briefing organised by the Joint Action Front (JAF), the students described the state government as a “set of shameless parents who chose to lie and deceive their children”.
“We are ever resolute to pursue this cause no matter what it takes, because the issue is very simple,” Olusegun Ifade, the President of the Students Union Government (SUG) said.
“If you are talking about reduction and you run to the media without having a conclusive or mutual agreement and the most annoying thing is you are saying the implementation will take effect next session, our own argument is logical and simple.
“Over 2000 students cannot pay and have applied for leave of absence for the 2012/2013 session, and many couldn’t return. If you now announce a reduction and you say it will take effect next session, what of this academic session of 2013/2014?
“Do they go out of school because they can’t pay and return next session? Is it logical? It’s not logical. Implementation and further reduction of the fees is non-negotiable”.
The student leader also dismissed claims by the state government that the students were being sponsored by the opposition in the state.
“Let me also address the rumour that we are being motivated by politicians,” Mr. Ifade said. “We all remember the Ali-must-go protest in the 70s, we heard the students accused of being sponsored by the opposition.”
“During the LASU struggle, they said the 5th columnist and some politicians motivated it, but at the end of the day, the success of the struggle showed that it was a student motivated struggle.
“It is always like that in this part of the world, when we have a highly irresponsible government who always look for excuse to justify their irresponsibility and that’s why they are saying the struggle of Olabisi Onabanjo University is a politically motivated one. It is not and it will never be,” Mr. Ifade stated.
