After days of backlash from different stakeholders, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has finally released the students of Ambraose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, and others, who were recently arrested in connection with the Ekpoma protest, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to dialogue, reform and the overall development of the university and the state.
The governor spoke when he received the released students at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Benin City.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Okpebholo expressed deep pain over the violent turn the protest had taken, particularly given his strong commitment to the revival of Ambrose Alli University.
The governor said, “I was highly in pain when I saw what was happening in my place. The day I was sworn in, I said I was going to revive Ambrose Alli University,”
“They were paying light bill, water, printing, salaries and everything from N41 million, and N41 million is not enough for anything at all. But on record, one consultant was receiving N59 million under the last administration, while the entire university community was receiving N41 million.”
Some of the students and their parents, who prefer their names not to be mentioned for fear of intimidation, said that though they are happy for the release, they insisted that they were unjustly arrested and detained without concrete evidence.
They stated that to worsen the situation, they were hurriedly arraigned and remanded unjustly, a situation that suggests the police authority failed in its responsibility.
“We thank God we are out, as the Governor listened to the voice of reasoning, just that we were arrested and arraigned for no cause”
“We also use the opportunity to thank those who stood by us, the media and civil society groups.”
The governor further revealed that outstanding salaries and wage arrears owed to AAU staff amount to about ₦41 billion, adding that his administration is working out modalities to gradually offset the debt.
On the issue of protests, Governor Okpebholo cautioned students against allowing themselves to be used by criminal elements, urging them to focus on their studies.
He said, “Somebody said he is a student and he protests. What are you protesting for? Don’t allow yourself to be used. Read your books so that you can be like us,”
He acknowledged the security challenges facing Ekpoma and other parts of the country, stressing that insecurity is a collective problem that requires collective responsibility.
He said, “The same way you are afraid of your life,is the same way I am afraid of my life. Kidnappers do not know the status of anybody and so It’s a common problem we all have,”
The governor, however, noted that investigations by security agencies showed that many of those involved in criminal activities around Ekpoma were indigenes of the area.
He added, “Most of the incidents of the people kidnapping in Ekpoma are local. When soldiers and other security agencies went into the forest at night, the people caught were natives from Ekpoma. So we need to look at who our enemy really is,”
Governor Okpebholo condemned the destruction of shops and looting of properties during the protest, describing it as counterproductive.
He asked, “Things are not moving, people are hungry, and you are burning shops and destroying properties. If it were yours, will you be happy?”
He appealed to the students and youths to embrace peace and constructive engagement, assuring them that criminals would not be allowed to have a hiding place in Edo State.
He said, “We have to work for Edo. Some of you may be innocent, but criminals will not have a hiding place in our state,”
The governor also cited the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin–Auchi Road as an example of what peaceful engagement can achieve, explaining that the road was awarded at the cost of about ₦135 billion shortly after he brought the issue to the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, also addressed the gathering, praising Governor Okpebholo for his swift intervention, commitment to education and his decision to facilitate the release of the arrested students.
Other speakers commended the governor for choosing dialogue over force and for prioritising the welfare of students and the university community.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu; the Minister of Youth; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Engagement; and other top government officials.
The stakeholders’ engagement marked a major step towards reconciliation, peace-building and renewed cooperation between the Edo State Government and the Ambrose Alli University community following the Ekpoma crisis.
