Bukola Olowolaju, Chairwoman of Igbara-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ekiti State, has been accused of ordering military personnel to assault students during the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) National Election, which took place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Igbara Odo.
The event, which drew students from across Nigeria, including those from the Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), was meant to be a peaceful democratic process to elect new national leaders for FESSU.
However, the situation took a violent turn when Olowolaju allegedly decided to cancel the election, which was met with strong opposition from students who had travelled from various parts of the country.
It was reported that after announcing the cancellation, Olowolaju placed a phone call, and shortly thereafter, a van full of armed military personnel arrived at the scene.
The soldiers, who were ordered to intervene, reportedly began firing shots into the air, causing panic among the students. Some students fled, while others were apprehended.
“Without warning, the soldiers began firing shots into the air, causing panic,” said Agbaje Adewumi, the Faculty of Science President, FUOYE Chapter.
“We were slapped repeatedly, forced to sit in the gutter, and beaten with planks and boots—all while we tried to explain that we were neither rioting nor escaping,” Adewumi continued.
Several students sustained injuries from the assault, with Adewumi himself suffering physical harm that left him unable to attend an important academic presentation.
He described the incident as a serious violation of students’ rights and a direct attack on their ability to engage in a democratic process without fear of violence.
“This is not just about the disruption of an election,” Adewumi said.
“It is about the abuse of power, the silencing of student voices, and the use of force to intimidate and suppress peaceful democratic engagement.”
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from student groups, human rights organisations, and concerned citizens, all calling for a full investigation into the actions of Olowolaju and the military personnel involved.
Critics have raised serious concerns about the justification for deploying armed forces to intervene in a student election, viewing it as an unacceptable infringement on students’ rights.
Student leaders and advocacy groups are demanding that those responsible for the assault be held accountable, ensuring that justice is served for the students who were harmed.
The Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) represents Ekiti State students at various higher institutions across Nigeria.
Igbara-Odo Local Council Chair Reacts To Allegations
When SaharaReporters reached out to Olowolaju for her response to the allegations, she denied ordering military personnel to assault students during the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) national election.
According to her, she was unaware that any election was taking place. Olowolaju said she was in a meeting in Ado-Ekiti when she began receiving calls from traditional leaders and stakeholders about growing unrest in Igbara Odo.
Upon her return, Olowolaju said local security personnel told her the situation had spiralled out of control. She then contacted the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, who responded by deploying military personnel to the area.
According to her, she arrived to find a chaotic scene marked by gunfire, weapons, and the presence of individuals who were not students.
She stated that the military intervened to restore order and made several arrests, including that of Adebiyi Fashoyin, whom she accused of making life-threatening remarks. However, she noted that he was later released.
Olowolaju insisted she acted solely to protect lives and property and had no involvement or interest in the election or its outcome.
She said, “It’s important to state that I was unaware of any student election taking place in my LCDA and had no involvement or interest in it. Upon receiving the distress reports, I immediately left Ado-Ekiti and rushed back to Igbara Odo.
“On arrival, I met with the police, Amotekun, DSS and other paramilitary agencies, all of whom confirmed that the situation was beyond their control and requested additional support. I promptly reached out to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, who deployed Nigerian Army officers to help restore calm and prevent escalation.
“By the time I got to the scene, it was already past 5:00 PM. I was approached by a former student union president who ran up to me, visibly shaken, and pleaded for his life, stating that some individuals were trying to kill him. He claimed to be the son of a well-known person from a neighbouring town. What I witnessed was alarming and unacceptable, what was supposed to be a student election had degenerated into a violent confrontation.
“There were reports of gunshots, sightings of cutlasses, and use of local charms. I immediately realized this was not an election but a gathering driven by a dangerous struggle for power, with non-students even involved in the chaos.
“The arrival of the soldiers brought sanity to the scene, and several individuals were arrested, while others fled.
“One of those arrested was Mr. Adebiyi Fashoyin, the same individual now spreading falsehoods. It is important to note that Mr. Fashoyin made alarming, life-threatening statements during the unrest and boldly declared that he would ensure a state of emergency was declared in our local council, a council that has been peaceful and law-abiding. His provocative utterances and violent conduct were among the reasons for his arrest by the military personnel.”
She said shortly after Fashoyin’s arrest, she received a call from a “respected political leader, Otunba Bayo Fasae, who pleaded earnestly, stating that Mr. Fashoyin was a friend’s son”.
She said, “Out of respect for Otunba Fasae, I intervened and requested his release, which the military granted. In hindsight, perhaps I should have allowed the law to take its full course, my regret.”
“Let me restate clearly: I have no interest whatsoever in any student election, and no one influenced my actions. As the Chief Security Officer of this local council, I acted in the interest of peace and safety, to protect lives and property,” she said.
“I have never offered anyone money to interfere with any electoral process. I have a name and legacy I’ve built over the years and would never compromise it for any reason.”
© SaharaReporters
