The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, allegedly escaped an attack by representatives of student bodies during a protest in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital on Wednesday, January 15th.
Deputy Governor of Ogun state, who is she?
Noimot Salako-Oyedele born January 8th, 1966, is a Nigerian politician, public health engineer, and real estate professional, who has served as the Deputy Governor of Ogun State since 2019. She emerged as deputy governor after winning the 2019 Ogun State gubernatorial election alongside Governor Dapo Abiodun, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
The Deputy Governor’s Tale
The students turned out to be representatives of an Ogun-state-based Polytechnic, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY). The Deputy Governor of Ogun state was on her way to represent Governor Dapo Abiodun at an event to mark the year 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta.
The protesters who took to the streets, protesting the hike in tuition fees, and non-mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program among other issues were agitated and in need of attention.
The violence reportedly erupted as MAPOLY students blocked the deputy governor’s route. The protesting students were reportedly armed with sticks and other dangerous weapon. All efforts by security personnel proved abortive but she eventually escaped being lynched.
Reports have it that while efforts were being made for the Deputy Governor’s convoy to pass, the students realized who it was and ultimately became more restive, rushed to attack her convoy, and even tried to demobilize it. While police officers tried to calm the students, all efforts proved abortive.
Her convoy decided to make a detour to her lodge instead so that protesters could pass peacefully. Eventually, some of her security operatives were reportedly hurt while trying to maintain law and order.
The Protester’s Point-of-View
However, there have been some disagreements. The student union said the Deputy Governor’s car was never attacked. The chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun JCC, Comrade Adeyanju Francis, also stated that there was no attack on the deputy governor’s convoy.
Francis claimed that the students were surprised when they suddenly saw the convoy of the Deputy Governor. He reported that they only came together because they thought Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele was coming to address them on the matter.
Instead, they were intimidated by the entourage. He claimed that they were shot at three times. He also stated that six Divisional Police Officers (DPO), including a Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, were with them throughout the protest so there was no way this could’ve happened.
This turn of events is shocking and a little bit confusing as the two sides of the story are entirely contrasting. Whose side do we believe? What do you think?
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