Exclusive: Suspended NULASS LASUSTECH President Rejects Suspension, Calls It Unfair

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Comrade Bakare Baqiat Olapeju, the suspended President of the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) LASUSTECH, has rejected her two-month suspension, calling it unfair and one-sided. In an exclusive interview, she refuted the allegations against her, insisting that the Students’ Parliamentary Council (SPC) mishandled the issue.

Bakare, who was suspended for two months over alleged misconduct, insubordination, and failure to perform constitutional duties, insisted that the Students’ Parliamentary Council (SPC) mishandled the issue and acted in bad faith.

Bakare expressed her disappointment with the way the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Edidi Azeezat Omowonuola, presided over the sitting, stating that she failed to properly assess the situation before making a decision.

"The decision was one-sided and wasn’t fair. I believe the Speaker is incapable of presiding over the sitting, as she didn’t look into the matter properly before deciding," she said. 

Bakare also addressed the claims that she failed to attend two previous sittings before the budget session, clarifying that she had legitimate reasons for her absence.

"The issue started when I was invited to the first sitting, but I couldn’t attend because I was on an official visitation to the office of the Lagos State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Miranda. I told the General Secretary to inform the Clerk about my absence, which he did."

Regarding the second sitting, she stated that it was an emergency meeting, and she was not informed in advance.

"Since I wasn’t aware on time, I couldn’t attend because I was carrying out my primary responsibilities as President," she explained.

Bakare noted that she made every effort to attend the third sitting (budget sitting) despite being unwell.

"I arrived before the scheduled 2:00 PM time, even though I was sick. But the Speaker and Honourables deliberately delayed the sitting for two extra hours. When the session finally began, instead of focusing on the agenda, they shifted the discussion to something else and started inaugurating new members."

She alleged that the delays wasted three hours of the executives' time before they were finally invited in. However, once they entered, the Deputy Speaker, Idowu Sodiq, ordered them out in a rude manner.

"After being sent out, we were called back in, and the Speaker started questioning me about my absence at the previous sittings. I was eager to respond and greeted the Honourables, but in a way that wasn’t considered formal enough. The Deputy Speaker corrected me, and I immediately took the correction."

According to Bakare, the Deputy Speaker was not satisfied with her correction and allegedly continued to interrupt and disrespect her during the proceedings.

"While I was still speaking, the Deputy Speaker kept stampeding my words. The Speaker did not intervene as he disrespected me in the presence of Honourable members. I then expressed my displeasure with how the SPC was treating the executive members, which led to a heated argument between us. That was when I left the house."

She denied the allegations that she insulted the entire SPC, clarifying that the altercation was between her and the Deputy Speaker alone.

"The claim that I insulted members is false. Only the DSP and I were arguing, and the Speaker can attest to that."

However, she admitted to making a remark during the argument.

"I said, ‘You are mad’ to the Deputy Speaker after he insulted me first by calling me stupid in the presence of Honourables."

Bakare also raised concerns about selective punishment, pointing out that an executive member who physically assaulted an Honourable was only fined ₦3,000, while she was given a two-month suspension over a verbal altercation.

"One of the executives physically assaulted an Honourable, yet he was only fined ₦3,000. Meanwhile, I was suspended just for having a heated argument with the Deputy Speaker. It’s clear that the Honourables have a personal issue with me that I am not aware of."

Bakare also dismissed allegations that she failed to show up for a crucial NULASS football match at LASU, calling the reports false and misleading.

"The first match was held at LASUSTECH, Ikorodu, and I was present and even part of the planning committee. The Sports Director can bear me witness," she stated.

Regarding the final match, which was held at LASU, she explained that it coincided with an important academic presentation in her department.

"The final match was scheduled on the same day I had to do a presentation pitch at my department, which is my primary academic responsibility. I informed the Sports Director, Comrade Oseni Sulaimon, about my absence and made arrangements for a representative, which he agreed to.

So, all they have written in that news is fake and pure misinformation."

Bakare emphasized that she would not take the accusations lightly, as her name and reputation are on the line.

"All the accusations against me are false, and I won’t take them lightly. My name and reputation are at stake as we speak."

With the Vice President, Comrade Bashua Muhammad, now acting as President, Bakare’s next course of action remains uncertain. However, she has made it clear that she will not accept the decision without a fight.