By Ogunmola Ademola
Pandemonium rocked the serene town of Esa Oke in Obokun Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State on Monday, May 26, following protests accompanied by the sound of sporadic gunfire.
Protesters, reportedly angered by the appointment of Mr. Adewumi Adebowale Sefiu,said to be a kinsman of the State Governor, as Rector of Osun State College of Technology (OSOTECH), Esa Oke, allegedly placed the main gate of the institution under lock and key.
It was unknown, as of press time, where the gunshots came from, but residents took to their heels as guns began booming from as early as 7:00 a.m.
The protesters, armed with dangerous weapons, brandished placards with various inscriptions calling the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, unprintable names.
A resident who declined to mention his name said he had to stop his children from going to school today when he heard the gunshots.
“I didn’t understand what was happening. We were woken up by gunshots. So, I told my little kids to remain indoors for today; after all, there will be public holiday tomorrow (Tuesday).
“We are just appealing to the authorities to do what the students want for them. It has been long that we witnessed the students unrest,” he pleaded.
Recall that some citizens of Ijesaland in the state had addressed a press conference last week, appealing to Gov. Adeleke to reverse the appointment of the embattled new Rector.
They said the appointment of Mr. Adewumi was not in accordance with the law, warning the governor to shun nepotistic appointments.
They said it was wrong to appoint the leader of any public institution “based on family ties, rather than based on the overall interest of all and qualification of contenders,” alleging that “the Chairman of the Governing Board of the College, Prince Diran Odeyemi, who should advise the government accordingly, has not done this.”
They added: “You advertise a position in an institution in a national daily; and people who have qualifications such as PhD and even professorship showed interest; but you went ahead to handpick someone with Masters Degree. That is unacceptable.
“We should have practices that will continue to make the College be among the best in the nation. We are appealing to Governor Ademola Adeleke to reverse that appointment.”
When contacted over the latest development, the Registrar of the institution, Mr. Samuel Popoola, did not deny it. But he said he would not comment on it “for now.”
As of the time of writing this report, normalcy had returned to the town, but residents appeared to be wary of speaking about the students’ action.
