OAU Students Released After Protest Over Wike’s Visit Sparks Tension on Campus

Two students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oladepo Joshua and Ejike Kelechi, were released from police custody on Thursday evening after a group of students stormed the Moore Police Division in Ile-Ife, Osun State, demanding their release.

The duo had been arrested for protesting the presence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who was invited to speak at the university’s Distinguished Personality Lecture held at Oduduwa Hall. The protest, which began peacefully, saw students questioning Wike’s political actions and calling for accountability, including compensation for individuals allegedly displaced by his policies.

Inside the lecture hall, Joshua and Kelechi held placards that read, “Compensate those whose houses you demolished.” Their arrest triggered immediate backlash from fellow students, who nearly shut down the police station before officers released the protesters.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the protest was not only met with police action but also interference from John Udeh, a former OAU student who was arrested in 2018 for alleged cult-related activities. Despite his past, Udeh was seen confronting protesters and seizing their placards during Wike’s visit. His involvement has raised questions, especially as he is said to still be on campus nearly a decade after his arrest.

“He should have left school, but he is still there after nine years,” a source said. “The school claims the protesters were restrained by fellow students, but Udeh was the one who led the action against them. He’s widely known on campus and allegedly used by authorities to suppress dissent.”

SaharaReporters also learned that the protest was initially peaceful until Udeh and others reportedly tried to disperse demonstrators and obstruct media coverage. Eyewitnesses say the school management has distanced itself from the use of force, claiming students themselves diffused the situation.

However, critics allege the university is turning a blind eye to ongoing intimidation tactics used against students who voice opposition to controversial political figures invited to campus.