The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Osun state, Senator Iyiola Omisore recently donated a bus to the Students’ Union Government of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
That gift has become an object of disunity among students of the institution as some were appreciative of Omisore’s kind gesture while others who considered the bus a Greek-gift felt the acceptance of such gift by the SUG signified that the students had sold their political right to Omisore ahead of the forthcoming elections in the state.
Some of the students insisted they won’t vote for Omisore despite the gift. Some others wanted the issue of the ongoing strike action and similar problems solved rather than such gifts. Some students wondered why the SUG would collect such a gift in their absence despite the fact they were not on campus as the institution was on strike.
The OAU SUG has on their part cleared through a communique which was signed by its president Ibikunle Isaac and Secretary-General, Shittu Olatayo. The SUG claims that they accepted the bus as it will aid mobility during protests.
Part of the statement read:
“Since the inception of our administration, it is a known fact that the political gladiators from major political parties have been engaging us, seeking our support just, as it is being done all over the state. But our position has always been that they should do projects for OAU students, such as donation of buses and scholarships, among others. In particular, both the All Progressive Congress and the PDP have promised us a bus each.
“Meanwhile, on Thursday July 31, 2014, the PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Omisore, donated a brand new 18 seater bus to the Students’ Union. This indubitably will aid the mobility of the Union, especially in times of struggle, and make the Union enjoy mobility autonomy as against the constant seizure of the Union’s bus by the management whenever the Union has issues with the University.”
