The prestigious Oxford Union is once again under the spotlight — this time over a controversy that’s divided students, alumni, and even international observers.
The society’s president-elect, George Abaraonye, is now fighting to keep his position after his comments celebrating the shooting of American conservative influencer Charlie Kirk caused outrage across the world.
A Message That Sparked a Firestorm
It all began last month when Abaraonye, a 20-year-old Oxford University student, sent a WhatsApp message reacting to the news of Kirk being shot.
His message appeared to celebrate the violence, reading: “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f—— go.”
The post quickly went viral, with critics accusing him of promoting political violence.
Abaraonye later deleted the message and issued an apology, claiming he hadn’t realized Kirk had died at the time of posting.
He admitted to having “acted poorly” and said he reacted “without knowing the full situation.”
Turning Controversy Into a Confidence Test
In an unexpected move, Abaraonye triggered a motion of no confidence against himself — a gesture he called an attempt to show “true accountability.”
A poll has now been scheduled for Saturday, October 18, allowing Oxford Union members to decide whether he should remain in his role.
In a post on Instagram, he urged members to back him, writing: “Vote NO. As I will be doing.”
He hopes the vote will not only keep him in office but also give him renewed legitimacy to lead one of Oxford’s oldest and most respected debating societies.
A Global Vote Like Never Before
The voting process has now expanded in a way never seen before at the Oxford Union.
Tens of thousands of proxy voters — including current students and alumni from around the world — can now participate, provided they’re still registered as members.
To take part, members must email proof of identity by Friday, allowing a polling official to cast a vote on their behalf.
This unprecedented move means voices from across continents will have a say in Abaraonye’s fate.
Alumni Push for His Removal
A powerful group of former Union officers calling themselves Concerned Alumni of the Oxford Union has been actively campaigning to remove him.
In a statement, the group said: “The Oxford Union and its parent organisation OLDUT have failed to deal with the sickening and unacceptable actions of their president.
It now falls to the society’s members and alumni to demonstrate that the Oxford Union does not tolerate the incitement or celebration of political violence.”
The group claims it lobbied for proxy voting to ensure global participation — and now hopes it will lead to Abaraonye’s removal.
The Stakes for Abaraonye
If two-thirds of voters back the motion against him, Abaraonye will be forced to resign as president-elect.
The Oxford Union, a 200-year-old debating institution famous for hosting world leaders and intellectuals, is independent from Oxford University, which has not taken disciplinary action against him.
Despite the backlash, Abaraonye insists his words were misunderstood.
In a recent YouTube interview, he said the media “misrepresented” his reaction, emphasizing that he didn’t know the full details of the shooting when he made the post.
“I reacted poorly and deleted my comments as soon as I realized what happened,” he explained.
“Had I seen the video of the shooting, I would never have said it.”
What Comes Next for the Oxford Union
The outcome of Saturday’s vote could define how the Oxford Union handles accountability in the digital age.
Whether Abaraonye remains president or is voted out, the episode has raised bigger questions about leadership, free speech, and responsibility within one of the world’s most famous student societies.
For now, all eyes are on Oxford — and on a poll that has become far more than just a student election.