The management of Obafemi Awolowo University has clarified the reason behind its decision to decline a proposed lecture venue for former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, putting to rest growing speculation surrounding the incident.
According to the university, the request to host Obi’s lecture came too late, making it impossible to complete the necessary preparations required for an event involving a high-profile figure. The institution explained that organisers only provided key details about the programme barely a day before it was scheduled to hold...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Obi had earlier revealed that he was billed to deliver a keynote lecture at the university before heading to Ibadan for a political summit, but was suddenly informed that the event had been cancelled. He expressed concern over what he described as a recurring trend of last-minute cancellations of his engagements across Nigerian universities, warning that such actions could threaten intellectual freedom.
However, OAU’s management, through its spokesperson, insisted that the decision had nothing to do with Obi personally. Instead, it was based strictly on protocol and security considerations. The school emphasized that events of such magnitude require adequate notice to allow for coordination with security agencies like the police and DSS, as well as proper logistical planning.
The university further noted that the short notice left no room to guarantee the safety of guests, students, and staff, forcing authorities to withhold approval for the use of its venue.
While the development has sparked debate in public and political circles, the institution maintains that its action was purely administrative and in line with established procedures.
