Student Society Future Leader Ousted Following Conservative Activist Posts
The future president of the prestigious debating society has been removed from his position after failing a vote of confidence that followed his controversial online comments about Charlie Kirk.
The vote against the student leader reached the necessary two-thirds threshold to remove him from office, according to an announcement from the organization.
Disputed Comments
The controversy erupted after Mr Abaraonye reportedly posted messages on online platforms that seemed to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while speaking at a college in Utah.
According to reports, one social media message reportedly read "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - using an extended form of the acronym for 'laughing out loud'.
The president-elect is also said to have posted in a messaging group with fellow students appearing to welcome the incident.
Vote Outcome
The vote of confidence took place over the weekend, with outcomes revealed on Tuesday.
Society announcements showed that 1,228 ballots were cast supporting no confidence, while 501 were opposed the motion.
The notice stated that the president-elect was considered to have stepped down in accordance with the society's regulations.
Procedural Disputes
Proceedings were temporarily halted early on the previous day after the election official was allegedly subjected to "interference, threats, and inappropriate behavior" from multiple individuals.
In a statement, Mr Abaraonye claimed that the count had been halted because electoral officials believed "no valid outcome could be reached as a result of procedural failures".
His statement unequivocally denied that any representative acting for George had engaged in intimidating or disruptive behavior.
Ongoing Dispute
The student maintained that significant concerns had been submitted to the governing body and that he continued as president-elect.
His statement added that he was "proud and thankful to have the backing of well in excess of a majority of university members" who supported a "secure voting process and oppose efforts to undermine the electoral process".
Opponents have argued that any decision to keep him would "signal to the world that the society has prioritized politics over principles".
External Responses
On recently, Kirk's former chief of staff presented an public message to the Oxford Union on The Charlie Kirk Show podcast.
The letter criticized the society of becoming a institution where "student leaders openly applaud the killing of a ideological rival".
The statement warned that if Mr Abaraonye were to remain in post, supporters would "personally contact every U.S. political figure who has ever spoken at the society and urge them never again to lend their name".
The Oxford Union had previously criticized the student's remarks after the activist's killing and confirmed that concerns submitted about him had been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings.
The student leader had been one of several students to debate with the activist at the union in May.