OAU Cancels Peter Obi's Lecture Due to Short Notice

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife canceled a proposed lecture by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. The management explained that the cancellation was due to the organizers failing to provide adequate notice, as the event was scheduled for Saturday morning with less than 24 hours' notice.

This short notice made it impossible to complete the necessary arrangements, particularly concerning security coordination with police and state services to ensure safety. The university's spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the decision was strictly procedural and not politically motivated.

He noted that hosting high-profile guests requires proper planning and adherence to protocols, which were not followed in this instance. Obi's earlier scheduled keynote address was described as part of a worrying pattern affecting similar engagements.

The university denied any political considerations in their decision-making process.