A group, Coalition of Edo Student Comrades, has slammed Labour Party (LP) Edo State governorship flagbearer, Barrister Olumide Akpata, over his recent face off with the officials of the Students Union Government(SUG) of the University of Benin(Uniben).
In a statement they endorsed the group said inter alia, “we the undersigned use this medium to demand a public apology from the Edo Labour Party guber candidate, Olumide Akpata for the very avoidable violence associated with his visit to the University of Benin on Friday, April 12, 2024.
“It is indeed disheartening that what was supposed to be an interactive session with members of the University of Benin Senior Staff Club turned out to be an orgy of violence where a lecturer and several students were injured.
“A university is not just a place of learning, but a sanctuary of knowledge, where the pursuit of truth and the preservation of intellectual freedom are cherished and protected.
“Olumide Akpata’s uncouth behaviour and manner of speaking in which he referred to leaders of the student community as ‘hoodlums’ can be directly blamed for the unrest. The recklessness of security operatives attached to him who opened gunfire in a bid to disperse the students further stoked the fire of unrest.”
According to the group, “we believe very strongly that a lawyer of his pedigree must be able to seek alternative means of calming tensions and assuaging restive students rather than resort to name-calling and trigger happy security men.
“Mr. Akpata’s conduct is even more appalling because as an alumnus of the great University of Benin, we see him as one of our own. It was totally unacceptable for him to refer to great UNIBEN Students as ‘hoodlums’
“We therefore condemn his actions in totality and demand that he tenders an unreserved public Apology to the generality of UNIBEN Students and Edo State Students at large. An Injury to one is an Injury to all!
“It’s important for politicians in general to be mindful of their words and actions, especially when visiting educational institutions. Respect and open dialogue should always be encouraged to maintain a peaceful and inclusive environment on campus.”
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