Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has been warned to desist from forcing students of tertiary institutions in the state to campaign for him through the ‘Walk For Seyi’ movement.
This warning was issued in a statement by the Progressive Students Vanguard in the state, signed by its Coordinator, Ajadi Isaac.
The group described the move as an indication that the Seyi Makinde administration has no regard for the safety of students.
The statement read: “It has come to our notice that the Oyo State government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde has been forcing the SUG president of various institutions in Oyo State to do a kind of walk cum rally for his reelection. A “Walk For Seyi” within the school environment is to be done on Monday, January 9, 2023. This is not only ridiculous, and embarrassing but also in one way or another exposing the life of students, especially in the LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OGBOMOSO to danger.
“This is unprecedented in the state. Using students as an instrument of campaign is something a development-oriented government would never allow. There are many states in Nigeria, there is no other State you could hear of such. The present administration should stop using students generally, especially Ladokites, as a ground to settle political matters.
“Oyo State under Engr. Seyi Makinde has been doing and stamping all such “Students-life-risking” programs using and forcing the student union Government president to do as he wants. This is not encouraging. Stop turning SUGs into political party tools. Ladokites should be allowed to focus on their education.
“Students just returned from an 8-month ASUU strike. If the state government cared at all, they would never approve this walk of a thing. Students that are supposed to be in class are now being used as an instrument of campaign. This is a campaign period, students’ lives must not be exposed to the danger of political riots. This must stop to avoid unnecessary agitation at the end of the walk.
“The Ogbomoso community must be on alert to avoid something like this. LAUTECH is not a school of Oyo State people alone. There are students from other parts of the country. The students the SUG president and SA on the students’ matters are arranging for this unwanted walk are unaware of the evils that parade during campaigns.
“These Students are supposed to be in class on Monday, receiving lectures. They are not on holiday or any break. If the SUG of LAUTECH wants to do the walk the government paid them for, they should go and do it at the State Government House, Ibadan
