In a recent incident, Oxford Union President-Elect Abaraonye faced intense backlash following comments related to a controversial figure. The tensions escalated into threats against both him and his family, shedding light on broader issues of race and community dynamics.
Apology and Reflection on Comments
Mr. Abaraonye publicly expressed his regret for his comments during an interview with The Times on Saturday. He stated, “I wish to apologise directly to Mr. Kirk’s family and was very sorry for my comments.” This statement reflects his desire to take responsibility for the situation.
Response to Backlash
In a follow-up discussion with LBC, Mr. Abaraonye elaborated on his experiences following the fallout. He noted the overwhelming racist and classist vitriol directed at him, emphasizing his identity as a Black student at Oxford. “We need to split apart the criticisms from the unjustified attacks,” he argued.
Threats and Personal Impact
The aftermath of his comments resulted in significant personal distress, as Mr. Abaraonye revealed that both he and his loved ones received threats of violence. He stated, “It was a very difficult time, realizing my mistake has affected not only my life but could also impact others.”
No-Confidence Vote Controversy
In October, Mr. Abaraonye faced a no-confidence vote at the Oxford Union. He claimed the election process was compromised by untested regulations. Moreover, he alleged that opponents had “unsupervised access” to the email account used for collecting proxy votes.
Oxford Union’s Stance
The Oxford Union has firmly denied any claims suggesting the no-confidence vote was flawed or compromised. This situation continues to unfold, with both Mr. Abaraonye and the Union navigating the challenging landscape of public opinion and internal governance.
