…Says scholarship initiative should prioritise students’ welfare over political rivalry
The Student Affairs Committee of the Ogun State APC 2027 Campaign Council has defended the Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme, urging political stakeholders and student leaders to prioritise its benefits to students while allowing the relevant authorities to clarify reported concerns over a cheque discrepancy.
The committee said the educational initiative, established in memory of Gbemiga Abiodun, the late son of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represents an effort to transform personal loss into a lasting legacy of hope, educational opportunity and support for young people facing financial challenges.
In a press statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, popularly known as Samrich, the committee acknowledged the importance of transparency and accountability in public affairs but cautioned against allowing political disagreements to overshadow the programme's humanitarian objectives.
The statement followed comments by an individual described by the committee as a self-acclaimed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) student coordinator in Ogun State regarding the education support scheme.
According to the committee, the programme should be assessed through its objectives, reach and impact on beneficiaries, while any legitimate concerns about its administration should be addressed through credible evidence and appropriate clarification.
It maintained that the programme's significance extends beyond the presentation of scholarship cheques, stressing that educational assistance can help students remain in school, ease the financial burden on parents and provide young people with opportunities to acquire knowledge and practical skills.
"For a child who might otherwise struggle to remain in school, educational assistance can provide renewed hope. For a parent burdened by school expenses, it can offer meaningful relief," the committee stated.
Beneficiary Target Rises to 1,277
The committee also highlighted the reported expansion of the initiative, noting that reports on its fourth edition in October 2026 indicated an increase in the beneficiary target from 831 students in the 2025/2026 award year to 1,277 students for the 2026/2027 academic session.
It said the programme covers students across primary, secondary, technical college and tertiary education, with additional components including examination support and digital skills development, as well as plans for entrepreneurship assistance.
The committee described the expansion as an opportunity to strengthen educational access, vocational competence and long-term self-reliance among young people in the state.
It argued that educational interventions should not be assessed solely by the amount of money disbursed but also by their capacity to help beneficiaries develop skills, pursue their ambitions and prepare for productive futures.
According to the statement, the programme's broader objectives make it important for stakeholders to consider the opportunities it creates for students and families, alongside the need for responsible administration.
The committee, however, did not suggest that the programme should be exempted from scrutiny, insisting that transparency remains necessary to sustain public confidence.
APC Committee Calls for Clarification of Cheque Discrepancy
Addressing the reported discrepancy between the numerical figure and the amount written in words on a cheque, the committee said the matter deserved appropriate clarification from the relevant authorities.
It stressed that the facts should be established before conclusions are drawn, warning against relying on political assumptions or unverified allegations.
The committee maintained that acknowledging the importance of an educational support initiative does not prevent stakeholders from asking questions about its implementation.
It added that legitimate concerns should be addressed openly, noting that clear financial information and transparent procedures would help strengthen confidence in a programme intended to benefit students.
The statement said: "Transparency and accountability are essential to sustaining public confidence, and any reported discrepancy between the numerical figure and the amount written in words on a cheque should receive appropriate clarification from the relevant authorities."
The committee's position, therefore, was that the reported concern should be investigated or clarified on its merits rather than used as an automatic basis for broader accusations of wrongdoing.
Group Rejects Allegations Against APC Student Leaders
The APC Student Affairs Committee also criticised what it described as an attempt to turn the controversy into a sweeping indictment of APC student leaders by questioning their independence and suggesting that their political affiliation had compromised their principles.
It argued that political affiliation should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of blind allegiance, just as belonging to an opposition party should not be taken as proof of superior moral authority.
According to the committee, no political party has exclusive ownership of the student voice, and disagreements over public policy or political positions should not be used to dismiss the integrity of student representatives.
It maintained that the independence of student leaders should be assessed by the quality of their reasoning, consistency of principles and commitment to the public good.
The statement further argued that student leaders across political divides should be free to examine evidence, acknowledge genuine achievements, ask relevant questions and demand improvements where necessary.
The committee said supporting a political party and maintaining an independent mind were not mutually exclusive, insisting that responsible political engagement requires the ability to recognise both achievements and areas requiring attention.
Student Welfare Should Rise Above Partisan Politics
The committee called on student leaders to move beyond partisan exchanges and focus on issues that directly affect the welfare and future of young people in Ogun State.
It listed scholarships and bursaries, accessible and quality education, affordable learning materials, vocational training, digital inclusion, employability and entrepreneurship opportunities among the priorities requiring sustained attention.
According to the statement, these issues have more lasting implications for students than political arguments over which party or individual possesses greater moral authority.
It said the Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme provides an opportunity to examine how sustained educational assistance can help young people overcome financial barriers and pursue their academic and professional ambitions.
The committee added that the most constructive approach would be to preserve the programme's humanitarian objectives while encouraging the highest standards of accountability and responsible administration.
It urged the relevant authorities to clarify the reported cheque discrepancy and called on stakeholders to allow credible evidence to guide public discussion.
"There is no need to turn a matter requiring clarification into an unnecessary contest over who possesses greater moral authority or who qualifies as an independent student leader," the statement added.
Calls for Continuity and Responsible Administration
The committee further maintained that preserving the legacy of Gbemiga Abiodun would require continuity, transparency and a commitment to ensuring that the initiative continues to serve its intended beneficiaries.
It said the programme's lasting significance should be measured by the opportunities created for children and young people, the educational barriers it helps them overcome and the contribution beneficiaries may eventually make to society.
According to the committee, the humanitarian purpose of the initiative should remain central to public engagement, even as stakeholders insist on clear processes and accurate financial information.
It also called for a fair assessment of educational support initiatives, noting that accountability should strengthen public confidence rather than become an instrument of political division.
The statement concluded that the future of Ogun State students should take precedence over partisan disagreements, urging all stakeholders to approach the controversy with maturity and a commitment to constructive engagement.
Reaffirming the committee's commitment to student welfare and educational advancement, Ajasa said the discussion should ultimately return to the needs of the beneficiaries.
"Our position is clear: let the legacy of the Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme remain centred on the students it seeks to support. Let accountability strengthen public confidence, not become a weapon for political division. Above all, let us place the future of Ogun State students above partisan differences," the statement declared.
The statement was signed by Comrade Adeyemi Samson Ajasa (Samrich), chairman of the Student Affairs Committee of the Ogun State APC 2027 Campaign Council, who ended with the familiar student movement slogans: "Greatest Nigerian Students! Aluta continua! Victoria ascerta!!"
