It was a nasty experience for President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as students turned the institution into a protest ground. Armed with placards, the students shouted “thief” at the President and other political leaders of the South-western region of the country who had gathered in the institution for a meeting with the President.
The students also chanted anti-government songs with many accusing the current administration of finally killing the country’s educational system that was already on its kneels when Jonathan became the president.
The students got incensed after many of them were prevented from gaining access into the school by fierce-looking policemen who had taken over the entire institution, a part of which was being used for the meeting.
The institution was having its examination for the students and as a result of the harrowing condition the students had to face because of lack of access, many of them could not write their examination.
They were further provoked by the news they got that the meeting was targeted by Jonathan to obtain a pledge from traditional rulers in the region to support his presidential ambition.
Some of the students openly castigated the president for only remembering the institution and the South-west zone when he is seeking re-election, knowing that the people are already disenchanted.
While expressing disappointment at the traditional rulers who honoured the invitation, the students said they were watching to know those who would endorse the president among them for a second term in office.
The students said they would campaign against him since he had not only failed the nation, but had also rendered education in the country useless, despite being a former lecturer.
“This is rubbish. Is the president or politics more important than our lives?” One of the students asked as he spoke with journalists.
“How will they subject us to this kind of suffering. Buses were denied entrance and we have to start trekking.”
The students complained that even buses provided by the Students’ Union Government and bearing the inscription of the SUG were not allowed entrance into the institution.
