Oxford Union condemns British-Nigerian incoming president’s comments about Charlie Kirk shooting
Oxford Union dissociates itself from the British-Nigerian incoming president’s comments on Charlie Kirk
The Oxford Union has dissociated itself from comments made by its incoming president, British Nigerian George Abaraonye, on the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Recall that Kirk, a conservative activist and Donald Trump ally, was shot dead at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
As the world mourned the late activist, Abaraonye, born of a Nigerian father, posted comments that seemed to celebrate the tragic event.
Abaraonye posted: “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f—ing go”. “Let’s go” is a common celebratory phrase among Gen Z in the UK.
He went on his Instagram page to announce the sad news and add “loool”, an exaggeration of the abbreviation “laughing out loud.
Abaraonye followed up by going to a WhatsApp group for Oxford Union members to post more comments.
Members found his comments distasteful, and at least one of his messages was instantly deleted by the group admin.
Abaraonye met Kirk and debated him at an event the Union held in May. At the time, Kirk ended the debate anchored on “toxic masculinity” by urging Abaraonye to think about what they had discussed.
The British Nigerian was elected the president of the Union in June. Before then, he had served as the vice-president of the Oxford African and Caribbean Society.
The role made him part of the Race Equality Task Force, which championed conversations on racial diversity with the wider university.
The Oxford Union has now openly condemned the comments by the president-elect, affirming that the union opposed all forms of political violence.
The union said Abaraonye’s views did not represent the Oxford Union’s current leadership or the committee’s view.
The union extended its condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family, especially his wife and young children.
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