Rancour broke out at the 2025 Student Union Manifesto Night held at the NFLT on 12 December 2025, after a security officer reportedly released tear gas during a brief disturbance among attendees. The event, which had drawn a large and eager crowd of students, suddenly shifted briefly from excitement to chaos as the unexpected incident disrupted proceedings.
Witnesses, among which was a pressman on ground, said a group of Zikites were singing as they entered the hall while an aspirant was already speaking. A security officer asked them to keep quiet, but they did not comply immediately. The officer then locked the door until SUEC officials and the event moderator arrived to address the situation.
According to those present, the group had calmed down until the moderator warned that if the noise continued, presidential aspirant Adeboye would be given only three minutes to speak instead of ten. Some Zikites took the statement as a threat, which caused another round of shouting.
The situation appeared to be settling when attendees suddenly began choking and tearing up after tear gas was released. People ran into the hall as the place filled with irritation and confusion. A witness said someone held a Man O’ War officer, asking why the tear gas was used.
A Zikite who spoke after the incident said, “I felt unsecured and my health was a challenge.”
A video obtained reportedly showed scenes from within the supposed group of people tear-gassed, and several persons could be heard coughing in the background while passing remarks about the incident.
When contacted, presidential aspirant Adeboye expressed displeasure at the moderator linking the group’s actions to his supporters. He stated that his supporters are not only Zikites and felt the remark was a subtle attempt to discredit him.
At the time of writing this report, peace has been restored, and all activities are back in order. Students continued to listen and watch closely as the aspirants presented their promises ahead of the election scheduled to hold tomorrow, 13 December 2025. The manifesto night is still ongoing.
