A group, the Ondo North Development and Advocacy Forum, has raised the alarm over what it describes as a calculated plot to weaponise the delayed disbursement of the students’ bursary scheme for political gain against the senator representing the Ondo North Senatorial District, Jide Ipinsagba.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and made available to The Guardian, the Forum clarified that the bursary programme was duly captured in the Federal Government’s budget and stalled due to what it described as implementation processes.

According to the group, the 2025 budget implementation has yet to be fully concluded, with the capital component extended until June 30, 2026, due to poor fund release.

While arguing that the delay was beyond the senator’s immediate control and should not be twisted for political purposes, the forum accused certain figures of exploiting the students’ frustrations to incite unrest and paint the lawmaker in a false light.

The statement read in parts, “We consider it necessary to disabuse the minds of students and members of the public of insinuations aimed at portraying Senator Jide Ipinsagba in a bad light over circumstances beyond his immediate control.

“The attempt by certain interests to politicise the issue and incite students against the senator should be disregarded, as it is clearly targeted at gaining cheap political advantage.”

The Forum reaffirmed that Ipinsagba remains deeply committed to youth welfare, educational advancement, and human capital development across Ondo North, pointing to his what it described as ‘visible track record’ in empowerment and scholarship support.

It further disclosed that the process of obtaining necessary forms and clearances is being intensified at the Senatorial Office in Ikare-Akoko to ensure all eligible beneficiaries are properly captured once implementation resumes.

While acknowledging the concerns of students over the delay, the Forum maintained that issuing threats was inappropriate when official channels remain available.

Students were also advised to contact the special assistant to the senator on students and youth affairs, Farouq Muhammed, through the senatorial office for authentic information, rather than relying on speculative reports that could create unnecessary tension.

The forum subsequently urged students across Ondo North to remain calm, law-abiding, and focused and to resist being used as “instruments of political propaganda against a senator who has consistently prioritised their interests.”