Outrage As OSPOLY Withholds Results Of Four Student Leaders Over Alleged Union Election Protest
The management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree (OSPOLY), has come under intense criticism for allegedly withholding the academic results of four student leaders who reportedly opposed the institution’s imposition of a Students’ Union Executive (SUE) during the 2024 academic session.
The affected students – Ashiwel Samuel Bamise, Oseni Ige Olaitan, Olutekunbi Jacob and Adebisi Adeyemi Simeon – lamented that they are being victimised by the management for resisting what they described as an “undemocratic process” of appointing union leaders without student input or election.
They claimed that following their final examinations, they were shocked to discover that their academic results were embargoed by the institution, with a “Student Disciplinary Matter” tag placed against their records.
This, according to them, has obstructed their clearance and NYSC mobilisation.
Comrade Ashiwel Samuel, a former Faculty of Science President and Chairman of the Faculty Presidents’ Forum, said the school management is punishing them for standing up against tyranny. He maintained that he and others had no hand in the locking of the school gate that occurred on 10th September 2024, during the FYB week.
He narrated that he only visited the school gate after receiving calls from concerned passers-by, and even contacted relevant authorities, including the Dean of Students’ Affairs, without response.
According to him, the Sub-Dean eventually arrived and peace was restored.
“Despite all efforts to ensure orderliness, we were later accused of collaborating with hoodlums to lock the gate. This unfounded allegation has now become the basis for withholding our results,” he said.
Other affected students, including former NAOSS President, Adebisi Adeyemi Simeon, and former SUG presidential aspirant, Olutekunbi Jacob, echoed similar sentiments.
They described the allegations as baseless, saying they were only present at the scene to ensure the safety of students and institutional properties.
They alleged that students who failed to appear before the disciplinary panel had their results released, raising questions about the true intent behind their persecution.
While speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, Ige Olaitan described the situation as a calculated attempt to silence dissenting voices within the student body. “This is about scapegoating vocal student leaders to instil fear in others. It is not about justice but power,” he added.
Reacting to the allegations, the institution’s Media Relations Officer, Mr. Adebayo Fedeji, confirmed that the results of the affected students were indeed withheld.
In his words, “They unauthorisedly locked the school gate. Their results were placed under embargo because they refused to attend the disciplinary panel set up to look into the matter. It is a rule in the institution that once any student fails to attend the panel, his or her result will be withheld until he or she faces the panel. So let them come and face the panel.”
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has issued a five-day ultimatum to the OSPOLY management to release the withheld results and conduct a democratic Students’ Union election.
In an open letter dated 5th May, NANS described the management’s actions as autocratic and anti-student, threatening mass mobilisation and protest if the demands are not met.
The statement reads in part, “This act of intimidation and systemic silencing of student voices is not only condemnable but stands as a complete betrayal of the values of democracy. The OSPOLY management must immediately release the results of the affected comrades and end the reign of impunity.”punity.”
Okikiola Adewale is a young and vibrant undergraduate pen pusher with training in both print and digital journalism. He has a flair for writing, content development and people-oriented reporting to seek societal change.
