THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin Branch, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to wade into the crisis in the institution by directing its management to obey the National Industrial Court ruling as regards “authentic” faction of ASUU at the University.
Unilorin branch Chairman of ASUU, Dr Kayode Afolayan, told newsmen in Abuja during the weekend that the union has petitioned President Buhari, who is the Visitor to the University to stop “repressive” activities of the management of the institution.
A copy of the petition made available to Nigerian Tribune, said the University should be directed to obey the ruling of the National Industrial Court by recognizing and allowing representatives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities led by Afolayan to assemble without hindrance.
Dr. Kayode Afolayan is the Unilorin Branch chairman that is aligned to the National body of the union.
The petitioners also demanded withdrawal support for a group declared illegal by the National Industrial court, but continued to perpetuate itself as faction of ASUU through cronies.
The National Industrial Court (NIC) had in a judgment in 2013 sacked the illegal executives of the ASUU at the University of Ilorin, then led by Professor Wahab Egbewole.
ASUU and Unilorin have been battling over recognition of the authentic executives with the varsity authorities backing the Egbewole faction against the Dr Taiwo Oloruntoba-oju executives recognised by ASUU.
Afolayan, speaking further, called on President Buhari to establish a high-powered Commission of enquiry, comprising men and women of integrity not connected to and are not likely to fall under the influence of the University, to look into the petition of the Union and make the appropriate recommendations.
He said: “The Academic Staff Union of Universities is constrained to bring to the attention of His Excellency the monumental breaches which have persisted in the University of Ilorin and which require the urgent intervention of the Visitor.
“Most of the fraudulent acts and breaches have been carried out by the immediate past and current Administrations of the University under the pretext and propaganda of ‘maintaining peace and stability’ on the campus.’’
“The University, therefore, maintains a non-transparent Administration and embarks on repressive policies to silence critical voices in the University. This is anathema to the worldwide tradition of University as an institution that thrives on debate and forthrightness. It also inevitably and demonstrably breeds corruption,” he said.
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