In an unfolding controversy at the Oxford Union, its president, George Abaraonye, faces potential ousting after a controversial message he posted last month. Abaraonye, aged 20, stirred significant backlash when a WhatsApp message he sent seemed to endorse the shooting of American influencer Charlie Kirk.
Upon realizing that Mr. Kirk had passed away, Abaraonye promptly removed the message and acknowledged his mistake, admitting he had acted rashly without fully understanding the circumstances. This incident has now led him to take an unprecedented step by initiating a motion of no confidence against himself, aiming to embrace what he terms as “true accountability.”
This weekend, a crucial vote will take place, allowing Oxford Union members from across the globe to cast their votes on his leadership. This poll, open to tens of thousands of proxy voters worldwide, will determine whether Abaraonye remains in his position.
Abaraonye is hopeful that the voting process will work in his favor, allowing him to continue leading the prestigious institution with a renewed sense of legitimacy and trust from the members.
It means there will be a poll on Saturday when Oxford Union members can vote on whether to oust him.
Mr Abaraonye is hoping enough people vote in his favour so that he can continue in his role with renewed legitimacy.
He posted on Instagram: ‘On Saturday 18th October there will be a poll of the members to decide whether or not I should be removed as President-Elect of the Oxford Union. ‘Vote NO. As I will be doing.’
The Oxford Union president who celebrated Charlie Kirk’s shooting is set to be ousted this Saturday after a poll on his future was opened up to tens of thousands of proxy voters from around the world. Pictured: Charlie Kirk (left) debates with George Abaraonye (right) at the Oxford Union in May 2025
However, his chances of winning are in doubt after voting was thrown open to proxy voters yesterday.
It means tens of thousands of students and alumni living around the world can take part, as long as they are still current Oxford Union members.
In order to qualify, they need to email the union with proof of identity by Friday, asking for a poll official to cast a vote on their behalf.
There is currently a campaign by a group calling themselves Concerned Alumni of the Oxford Union to get enough people to sign up to have him ousted.
The group is made up of dozens of former officers of the Union.
A spokesman said: ‘The Oxford Union and its parent organisation OLDUT have so far failed to deal with the sickening and unacceptable actions of their president – it now falls to the society’s members, and particularly its alumni, to demonstrate that the Oxford Union does not tolerate the incitement or celebration of political violence.
‘After Concerned Alumni raised the issue of the importance of full participation in this vote and requested proxy voting, this has been allowed – an unprecedented decision.
‘Mr Abaraonye’s words upset and appalled members across the world – we strongly urge all life members to head to the union on Saturday to stand up to hatred, intolerance, and the celebration of violence.’
George Abaraonye, 20, sparked outrage last month by posting a Whatsapp message (pictured) appearing to approve of the violence against the US influencer
In a university magazine, he was recently billed as ‘icon of the week’ and was also described by student peers as ‘the guy who is everywhere and anywhere’ at Oxford
Mr Abaraonye will be forced to resign as president-elect if two thirds of those taking part in the poll vote against him.
The Oxford Union is a 200-year-old debating society for Oxford students and alumni which is independent from university management.
The university has so far not taken any disciplinary action against Mr Abaraonye.
The furore erupted after Mr Abaraonye, a second-year philosophy, politics and economics student, appeared to celebrate the sniper attack on the US influencer in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
He posted social media messages on the evening of September 10, including one saying: ‘Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f—— go’ – a common celebratory phrase among Gen Z.
In a YouTube interview this week, he claimed he had been ‘misrepresented’ by the media because he hadn’t realised Kirk had died when he posted the messages.
He said: ‘I reacted poorly, I reacted very quickly. At the time I didn’t know anything about the situation.
‘I retracted and deleted my comments, and the stories came out a day later saying I celebrated his death. But at this point I had no clue.’
Asked if he would have said it if he’d seen the video of the shooting, he said: ‘No’.
