Tension ran high at the Obafemi Awolowo University chapter of the National Association of Philosophy Students’ Representative Council (NAPSRC) sitting on Friday, January 24th, as the Executives Council (EC) faced backlash for defying a legislative order to suspend a mountaineering program.
The controversy stemmed from the EC’s refusal to suspend a mountaineering program for newly admitted students. Despite clear instructions from the SRC to halt the event for further deliberation, the EC proceeded with the program, ignoring the directive.
The meeting’s prior focus was the EC’s disregard for the legislative directive. According to the minutes drafted by the house clerk, this defiance sparked heated debates, particularly regarding the actions of the association’s Public Relations Officer, John Olaboye (John of OAU). The disciplinary committee had previously suspended the PRO for two weeks due to neglect of duty. However, he continued performing his official duties during the suspension, a move that many members of the house deemed a direct affront to the association’s constitution and an insult to the president’s office.
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As the tension escalated, SRC members proposed additional sanctions for the PRO. Suggestions varied, with some advocating for an extended suspension, while others called for a public apology to the SRC, EC, and other NAPSites. The apology, as suggested, should also be posted on the NAPS Exclusive Journalism Board and the association’s official WhatsApp group. While some, including Hon. Mia of the Part II constituency, proposed a one-week suspension, others, including Hon. Viko of the Part IV constituency, called for a two-week suspension alongside the public apology.
However, the PRO, John Olaboye reportedly reacted furiously, dismissed the suspension and threatened to confront anyone who challenged him. This defiance triggered a series of fiery exchanges and verbal clashes between members of the SRC and EC, creating a highly charged atmosphere.
The conflict escalated when the President, Babajide Michael (Fishmane) reacted angrily to motions raised by Hon. Viko and Hon. Drizzy of Part IV. He declared, ‘We are going to fight before leaving this place tonight,’ further intensifying the already charged atmosphere.
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In an attempt to defend his actions, the President accused the Speaker of the House, Hon. Karimot of Part II, and other members of neglecting their responsibilities, such as failing to pay association dues. He argued that their failure to meet these obligations disqualified them from questioning the EC’s decisions. Following this heated outburst, the President left the sitting in anger, urging his cabinet members to do the same, despite appeals from Hon. Bewaji Amos(Hon. Kiza) of Part III, who pleaded with him to stay until the end of the sitting. The Director of Social (DOS) of the association, as reported, switched off the light when they were leaving the house leaving everywhere dark.
In an interview with the Speaker of the NAPSRC, Hon. Karimot (Part III), she explained that the root of the conflict was the EC’s deliberate disregard for the SRC’s order to suspend the mountaineering program, which had taken place weeks earlier.
According to her, the reason behind the NAPSRC sitting held last week Friday was to call in to check the deliberate flouting of order by the EC over the just-concluded mountaineering program. She said, ‘Preceding that, we had issued a warning to them that the program should be put on hold pending the time a detailed explanation of money previously spent is accounted for. It was shocking to us that despite the warning, the EC still went ahead to hold the program in defiance of the order given.’
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Speaking further, she said, ‘Ordinarily, the aim of the meeting, although convened to interrogate and reprimand them, is just to let them know that the constitution holds supreme and that the SRC’s directives should be adhered to since the Legislative arm operates within the ambit of the constitution. But it was shocking to me and the entire house to witness such rude and insolent behaviour from the executive council.’
When asked about what led to the outrage from the president regarding the war-like statement he made, she said it was when one of the sitting members, Hon Viko, objected to the defiance posture of the president and his cabinet that he responded angrily.
‘Hon Viko and Hon Drizzy of the Part IV constituency raised a glass about the inconceivable and sheer rebel order about the mountaineering program that the house asked them to shelve till they accounted for the previous money spent. However, the President, hearing this, flared up and angrily said, ‘We are going to fight before leaving this place tonight’. We tried to call him to order and make peace with him, but all our attempts were rebuffed by him. The General Secretary, Hon Kizer, compelled him to wait, but he left angrily and beckoned on others to follow suit. Thereafter, the Director of Social, Muller, switched off the light when leaving,’ she narrated.
ACJOAU correspondent approached the executive members to hear their side of the story, but none of them granted the interview. As reported, upon approaching the PRO, Olaboye John, John of OAU, on the allegation made against him, he blatantly snubbed the agency’s interview and switched to making provocative statements. ‘I don’t care what happened; why are you coming to me when you know what happened already?’ he angrily responded.
Moreover, the President as well, when approached, said he did not have any answer to give and accused the agency of being bribed against him and his cabinet. ‘I don’t have any response to give; in fact, I feel the opposing camp is using you against me’, retorted the President.
With the Executive Council’s activities currently suspended by the legislative arm, students now look to the Head of Department (HOD) for intervention in resolving the escalating conflict between the Executive and Legislative bodies.