OAU Breaks Silence On Why Peter Obi Lecture Venue Was Rejected

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has clarified the circumstances surrounding its decision to decline a venue request for a lecture by former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to Ireporter Online, Obi had earlier announced plans to deliver a keynote address at the institution by 9 a.m. before proceeding to Ibadan for an opposition party summit. However, he later revealed that the lecture was cancelled, describing the development as part of a recurring pattern, noting that similar disruptions had reportedly occurred on more than ten occasions.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the university explained that the request for the venue was denied due to insufficient notice from the event organisers. The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that crucial details regarding the programme and its invited guests were only submitted on Friday, barely a day before the scheduled event.

The university emphasized that the late submission made it impracticable to put in place the necessary logistics and security measures required for hosting a high-profile figure. It added that such events demand adequate advance notice to facilitate coordination with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services, to guarantee the safety of attendees and the wider university community.

Consequently, the management noted that it could not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event under the circumstances. The institution maintained that its decision was guided strictly by safety considerations and established protocols, stressing that it should not be interpreted as a slight against Obi or his status.