By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Confusion has gripped the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Delta State, following a protest by some students on Wednesday over alleged increases in tuition fees.
The protesters, who blocked the busy East-West Road and restricted access to the university, carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, accusing the management of planning to hike school charges.
But the protest immediately triggered controversy, as the Student Union Government (SUG) disowned the action and the university management dismissed those involved as “faceless.”
SUG President, Etinosa, in a telephone interview, said the union had no hand in the demonstration. “No! We are not part of the protest,” he insisted, explaining that he had already relayed student concerns to management but was frustrated by being caught in the middle.
On his part, Vice Chancellor of FUPRE, Prof. Ezekiel Oghenenyerovwo Agbalagba, described the protesters as unknown elements who were not speaking for the union. He stressed that management was still in negotiation with the SUG and had yet to reach any decision on new fees.
According to him, the school had held five meetings with the union, and discussions were paused until examinations end this week. He maintained that documents circulating online suggesting new charges were unofficial drafts taken out of context.
“This is all politics to discredit me. The genuine student leaders know where we stopped, and negotiations will continue next week,” Prof. Agbalagba said, adding that a formal memo would soon be issued to clarify the situation.
The Vice Chancellor further hinted that some individuals may have influenced the protest, insisting that information trending on social media did not come from the university.
Meanwhile, with examinations expected to conclude on Thursday and a looming strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the protest has heightened tensions on campus as both sides prepare to return to the negotiating table.