Okpebholo Receives Released AAU Students, Warns Against Violence, Reaffirms Commitment to University Revival

Kingsley Ohens reporting

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has received students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were recently released following their arrest in connection with the Ekpoma protest, assuring them of his administration’s unwavering commitment to dialogue, institutional reform and the comprehensive revival of the university.

The governor gave the assurance during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Benin City. The meeting brought together AAU students, senior government officials, security representatives and other critical stakeholders in a bid to de-escalate tensions and rebuild trust following the recent crisis.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Okpebholo expressed deep concern over the violent turn the protest assumed, describing it as painful and counterproductive, especially in light of his administration’s ongoing efforts to reposition Ambrose Alli University.

“I was highly pained when I saw what was happening in my place. The day I was sworn in, I said I was going to revive Ambrose Alli University,” the governor said.

He revealed that upon assumption of office, the university was operating on a monthly subvention of ₦41 million, which he described as grossly inadequate to cover electricity, water, printing, salaries and other operational costs.

“On record, a consultant was receiving ₦59 million under the last administration, while the entire university community was receiving ₦41 million,” he added.

Governor Okpebholo disclosed that his administration immediately increased AAU’s monthly subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million as part of deliberate steps to stabilize and reposition the institution.

“Since then, it has been about how to revive the school, how to move the school forward and how to reposition it again,” he said.

The governor further revealed that outstanding salary and wage arrears owed to AAU staff amount to approximately ₦41 billion, noting that his administration is currently developing modalities for the gradual settlement of the debt.

On the issue of student protests, Governor Okpebholo cautioned against violence and warned students not to allow themselves to be manipulated by criminal elements.

“Somebody said he is a student and he protests. What are you protesting for? Don’t allow yourself to be used. Read your books so that you can be like us,” he said.

He also addressed the security concerns in Ekpoma and other parts of the state, stressing that insecurity is a shared challenge requiring collective responsibility.

“The same way you are afraid of your life is the same way I am afraid of my life. Kidnappers do not know the status of anybody. It’s a common problem we all have,” the governor stated.

Governor Okpebholo disclosed that security investigations revealed that many individuals involved in criminal activities around Ekpoma were local residents.

“Most of the incidents of kidnapping in Ekpoma are local. When soldiers and other security agencies went into the forest at night, the people caught were natives of Ekpoma. So we need to look at who our enemy really is,” he said.

Condemning the destruction of shops and looting of property during the protest, the governor described such actions as harmful to the very communities the protesters belong to.

“Things are not moving, people are hungry, and you are burning shops and destroying properties. If it were yours, will you be happy?” he asked.

He appealed to students and youths to embrace peace and constructive engagement, assuring them that criminal elements would not be allowed to find safe haven in Edo State.

“We have to work for Edo. Some of you may be innocent, but criminals will not have a hiding place in our state,” he said.

Governor Okpebholo also cited the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin–Auchi Road as evidence of what peaceful engagement and constructive advocacy can achieve, noting that the project, valued at about ₦135 billion, was approved shortly after he raised the matter with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, praised the governor for his swift intervention, commitment to education and decisive role in facilitating the release of the arrested students. Other speakers at the meeting also commended the governor for choosing dialogue over force and for prioritising the welfare of students and the university community.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu; the Minister of Youth; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Engagement; and other top government officials.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the engagement marked a significant step towards reconciliation, peace-building and renewed cooperation between the Edo State Government and the Ambrose Alli University community following the Ekpoma crisis.