The indigenes of Ile-Ife, the host community of Obafemi Awolowo University who are protesting against the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor of the institution have announced a temporary suspension of their activities.
The group in a statement by their spokesperson, Abimbola Afolabi on Wednesday said the suspension came up following the intervention of the state Commissioner of Police and other well-meaning individuals.
The people while noting that their agitation is aimed at few individuals in the University system, further said that the temporary suspension was part of their resolve to prevent a confrontation with the staff and students with possible huge consequences.
The statement reads, "Today, the 5th day of our agitation against oppression, victimization and neglect of our community by cabals on OAU. Some of our planned activities are suspended for the following reasons:
"We acknowledge and appreciate the professional mediation of the Commissioner of Police and well meaning Nigerians.
"The need to avoid uncontrollable casualties. The present imbroglio is between few individuals who have constituted themselves as lords on the university community with deliberate shortchange of Ifes within the system. Hence, we do not wish to be confrontational with any group (students, workers and relevant government agency).
"The need to allow those who have reasons to be outside and remain in the university premises should take their stands before resumption of our peaceful demonstration.
"With the above consideration, the ongoing physical and peaceful protest will be suspended till Monday, 28th March, 2022.
"Please note that we will try to remain peaceful as long as the situation allows. We will ensure as before friendliness with our friends and resist every confrontation with the last our breadth.
Abimbola Afolabi."
Protest had erupted at the University campus on Thursday 17 March, 2022 following the announcement of a new Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. A.S Bamire, a professor of Agricultural Economics from the Faculty of Agriculture by the Governing Council of the institution, a development which the indigenes of the host community had rejected on the basis that it is their turn for a subtantive head of the institution six decades after its establishment.
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