The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is conducting an investigation following claims by Olumide Akpata, Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate for Edo State, that he was assaulted by a group of the university’s students.
Akpata, who also served as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, was hosting an interactive event at the UNIBEN senior staff club when he reported being targeted by students dissatisfied with their exclusion from the meeting.
A student’s claim of being shot by Akpata’s security personnel has circulated online, but Akpata has refuted this in a video statement, insisting he was the actual target of the disruption.
According to Akpata, the students’ actions led to the meeting’s interruption and the injury of a lecturer, who is now hospitalized.
“I just finished meeting with some of my associates and I was on my way to bed when my staff drew my attention to a video that is making rounds currently of an individual who claims to have been shot. Claims to have Ben shot by security agents at that event,” he said.
“I have looked at the video, nothing can be further from the truth. I only wish that this individual would show his face so that we can determine the veracity of his story. Because as far as I know, this story varies from actually what happened yesterday.
“What happened yesterday, I was invited to the University of Benin senior staff club to hold an interactive session with members of that club who are senior staff of that institution. I am told that a similar event occurred at the club a couple of weeks ago when the PDP candidate in the upcoming Edo election was also the guest of honour.
“At this event, I spoke extensively with members of the club and we exchanged ideas. To our surprise, this event was interrupted very rudely by some hoodlums who claimed to be students of the University of Benin. They disrupted the event for well over one hour.
“This event could not hold indeed because of the actions of these students. It was indeed disrupted. They barricaded the gate to the premises with their vehicles. There was a fracas in the prism of the club. One lecturer was actually injured in the process. He was wounded seriously and he is currently in the hospital.
“I had to be taken out of the premises by my security personnel. Even as we attempted to leave the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin, we found out that the highway had been barricaded by these hoodlums who attempted to impede our journey and stop us from progressing. It took the intervention of my security personnel to actually dislodge this barricade and for us to continue on our journey”.
He described the situation as a blockade of the university’s exits by the students, which escalated into a conflict.
Akpata has suggested that the incident may have been politically motivated, orchestrated by elements within the current Edo State government to influence the forthcoming elections.
“We know what is going on. It is election season again in Edo state. And it is quite obvious that some of our old and very tired politicians are up to their usual antics. They have learnt nothing. They will forget nothing. I have it on good authority that these hoodlums were deployed by a senior official of the Edo government,” he added.
“And I am speaking directly to this individual. I know you. You know me. I am no pushover. Labour Party will not be intimidated by you. By your paymasters or by your union. If it is your intention to cause mayhem and to cause havoc in Edo state, we will resist you. You will not be allowed to reduce our state to nothing. You have done enough damage. We will not stand for this. The will of the people will not be subverted.
“We will make the necessary report to the police authority and we will provide for them the information that we have at our disposal regarding this event.”
In response to the incident, UNIBEN management has established a committee to delve into the events that transpired during the altercation.
“The Management of the University of Benin has condemned in strong terms reported violence during the visit of the Edo State Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, Mr Olumide Akpata, on invitation by the Senior Staff Club of the Institution,” the statement by Benedicta Ehanire, the varsity spokesperson, reads in part.
“The violent incident, allegedly perpetrated by some students, is unacceptable. Consequently, Management has set up a Committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the violent action”
