Exclusive: Sigma Chief, Former UI’ SU Speaker Rt Hon. Omotunde, Speak on Ongoing Sigma Screening Debacle

In conversations with the Press, the Sigma Chief, Olalekan Ajibola, and erstwhile Speaker of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Students Representative Council, Rt. Hon. Olamide Omotunde, respectively, have clarified details with regard to the latter’s screening from the Sigma Club today, 4th December, 2024, as well as the screening of five others prior, which has led to a series of accusations made via social media. 

The screening [of Mr. Omotunde] was made public sometime around 9:46 AM today, as seen on the WhatsApp status of the Sigma Chief. According to Mr Omotunde, his resignation letter had been sent in about 23 minutes prior. On the reason for his resignation he said, “I did not like the direction the club was headed. The purpose I found in the club that made me join wasn’t there anymore. I considered it best to leave honourably. I wish the club well in all its future dealings”. He insisted that this is line with due process of the Club. 

The Sigma Chief, however, spoke to the contrary, stating that “every member of the club is well briefed about the traditions of the club which we hold in high esteem.

For a valid resignation, there are procedures that must be followed which he didn’t follow. Also, the offence that was committed was a screenable offence and not one which resignation is permitted”. He further mentioned that the spate of screenings was due to disregard for the tradition of the Sigma Club, which those screened out were aware of. 

An X thread made in the early hours of today by former Loyalist Ogbonna Prince alleged that the Sigma Chief, Mr. Ajibola, had insulted old members of the Club, punished him [Ogbonna] for actions related to the Sigma outreach at Ijaiye community on September 28th 2024, and supposedly screened them out for ‘creating a group were the Sigma Chief was humiliated and his authorities questioned’. With regard to the accusations of a supposed plot also making the rounds, Mr. Ajibola said, “Invalid. There are no plot. The only plot that might exist are the ones from those I have screened out. There is no Sigot (former member who is screened out) that speaks well about the chief, so all are just fabricated lies to paint the chief bad. Within them, they all know the truth”. 

The Press reached out to three of the screened members. All three — including Mr. Ogbonna — declined to comment, citing the need for “Sigma happenings to remain within Sigma”. A similar statement on confidentiality was made by the Sigma Chief, who emphasised activities of the club staying in the club. 

Founded in 1950, the Sigma Club is the oldest student body in the University of Ibadan. Illustrious Nigerian poet, Christopher Okigbo, was one of the Original founders, and played a principal role in the formation and naming of the club, in particular. Most of its core operations are kept in secrecy including meetings which supposedly take place at night. It is headed by a Chief, whom, as seen on the Club’s website, is also ‘the Club’ – a statement implying autonomy of decision making. Other Executives are the Deputy Chief, Chief Scribe, Financial Scribe, Deputy Scribe, Publicity Committee Chairman, Treasurer, Investment and Special Duties Committee Chairman, and Security Committee Chairman. 

It remains to be seen what effect these screenings have and if at all there will be others, in light of allegations concerning the Club, made off the record, by Sigots.