Respect rules of law, ASUU tasks varsities, others

The Academy Staff Union of University (ASUU) has called on the respective University administrations, Governing Councils, and the visitors of universities to respect the university’s laws, freedom of assembly, and association.

This was contained in a press statement issued, signed, and made available to newsmen in Dutse, Jigawa state capital by the union zonal coordinator, Kano zone, Professor Abdulkadir Muhammad also appealed to the university’s management to end victimisation of innocent intellectuals and their families.

The zonal coordinator expressed concern about an alleged illegal dismissal, victimization, and harassment of its over 120 executives and ordinary members in the public universities for almost decade a across the country.

The union in the statement disclosed deeply concerned and saddened by the incessant victimization, intimidation, harassment, and dehumanization of its members in a number of public universities ostensibly on the insistence on due process and adherence to the rules and regulations governing the operation of the Nigerian university system.

According to the statement, “The victimisation is mainly perpetrated by the university administrations with tacit and, at times, open endorsement of the Chairmen of the Governing Councils and visitors of the affected universities”.

The statement stated further that “The obnoxious, unjust and callous victimisation and degradation of our members are more pronounced in Kogi State University (KSU), Anyingba; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojoo; and Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO); and Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam”.

The zonal coordinator noted that 120 of its members were sacked at Kogi State University (KSU), five at Lagos State University (LASU), three were suspended at Ebonyi State University (EBSU) while some were denied their promotions, “Worse still, the university administration has banned the Unions activities on the campus, which is a clear violation of the fundamental right to freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution”.

Professor Abdulkadir Muhammad further stated that the victimization of ASUU members and crass violation of university rules and regulations are not peculiar to KSU, LASU, and EBSU but are also obtainable in many others.

He started all these largely to demand conducive working conditions, better welfare packages, payment of backlogged salaries and allowances, their rightful promotions, and adequate funding of the university.

The statement added that in 2022, under the new administration of Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, two separate committees were set and their final reports absolved the five ASUU leaders in LASU of any wrongdoing and consequently, the Governing Council directed for their unconditional reinstatement with immediate effect.

“Following these tyranny and arbitrariness, the Visitor of LASU, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, set up a visitation panel and all the relevant stakeholders, ASUU inclusive, submitted memoranda. Alas, the Governor has adamantly refused to release the White Paper of the Visitation Panel. Up till now, the affected members are yet to be reinstated”.

The ASUU maintained that the affected members of KUS sought legal redress and unfortunately, the court ruled against the victims and in favour of the University.

ASUU-Kano Zone is particularly disturbed by the travesty of justice in this judgment delivered against our innocent members. However, the Union will continue to explore all legal avenues to ensure reinstatement of the sacked members.

The ASUU frowned on the dehumanization, denial of promotion, non-payment of backlogged salaries and arrears, travesty of justice, denial of freedom of assembly and association, increased violation of other fundamental human rights of its members and all forms of victimization in many public universities.

“We are therefore calling on the respective university administrations, Governing Councils and the Visitors of the affected universities to respect the university laws, respect freedom of assembly and association, end victimisation of innocent intellectuals and their families, recall all the illegally suspended members and reinstate those unjustly dismissed”.