By Olasubomi Sangonuga
The recent suspension of a final student and the one-time Student Union Government (SUG) presidential candidate, Kabiru Toheeb, popularly known as Cashlink, by the school management, has stirred reactions among students and alumni of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).
The move, which followed allegations of defamation against the immediate past SUG president, Oluwaseun Ogunmakinju, popularly known as Enzaim, has now drawn sharp criticism from another former SUG president, Micheal Awoyemi, popularly known as Senator Pablo, who described the situation as "evidence of growing tyranny within the institution."
In a detailed X (formerly Twitter) thread titled “On Cashlink Issue, My Submission,” Senator Pablo condemned the current state of student politics at OOU, warning that more such incidents would occur unless urgent steps are taken to curb the abuse of power and restore justice.
“Many more will still happen until everyone, both students and alumni, stand against the newly emerging tyranny,” he wrote.
Senator Pablo further criticized the increasing interference of violence and threats in departmental and faculty elections, mentioning specific cases in the Faculties of Science, Education, and Arts.
According to him, "some student union leaders have used a union bus to instigate violence and manipulate electoral processes."
The former SUG president questioned the rationale behind Cashlink’s disqualification, citing that the candidate was barred for failing to sign a campaign banner—a move he described as “neither logical nor legal.” He argued that the disqualification triggered Cashlink’s outburst and harsh criticisms of several student leaders, including Enzaim, whom he believed played a key role in the controversial decision.
“Some words were truly out of line, but many of these words were said out of anger. I might have done worse if I was in his shoes,” Pablo Admitted.
He further alleged that the School Disciplinary Committee (SDC) is being used to settle political scores. He expressed disappointment that some union members, including past leaders who are aware of the internal conflict resolution practices, would choose to escalate the matter to the SDC.
“The oath you took as union members is to protect your members at all cost. The union I belonged to believed in resolving disputes internally.”
Sen. Pablo also made startling revelations, claiming that Enzaim broke down in tears when he, Enzaim, was disqualified.
Asserting that the dispute could have been resolved through dialogue, Sen. Pablo recalled how he once prevented an SDC case from escalating by choosing peace over punishment even when electoral malpractice was involved.
He, therefore, urged current student leaders and alumni to mediate the issue in good conscience.
“The deed is done, and the boy is suspended. If both present and past stakeholders want to do what is right by conscience, they should call all parties and solve this issue amicably. If not, let the anarchy continue.”
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