The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU-Kano Zone, has condemned the alleged victimization of its members at several universities within the zone.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Friday, Zonal Coordinator Prof. Abdulkadir Muhammad denounced the actions as a “gross violation” of university rules and regulations.
Muhammad said: “ASUU-Kano Zone is deeply disillusioned and saddened by the incessant victimisation, intimidation, harassment, and dehumanisation of its members in a number of public universities.
“This was largely because of their insistence on due process and adherence to the rules and regulations governing the operation of the Nigerian university system.
“The victimisation is mainly perpetrated silently by the university administrations and, at times, with the open endorsement of the Chairmen of the Governing Councils and Visitors of the affected universities.
“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.
“Others include Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma; Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO); and Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.”
“ASUU-Kano Zone is particularly disturbed by the travesty of justice in this judgement delivered against our innocent members.
“However, the union will continue to explore all legal avenues to ensure reinstatement of the sacked members in KSU,” he said.
“To add insult to injury, the Treasurer of the Branch was, on the same date, also dismissed for demanding that her well-deserved promotion be properly dated.
“In February 2022, two separate committees were set up, and their final reports absolved the five ASUU leaders of any wrongdoing.
“Consequently, the Governing Council directed their unconditional reinstatement with immediate effect, but the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu set up a visitation panel, and all the relevant stakeholders, including ASUU, submitted memoranda.
“Disappointingly, the government refused to release the White Paper of the Visitation Panel, and the affected members are yet to be reinstated,” he claimed.
The zonal coordinator further alleged that in EBSU, the immediate past Chairperson of the Branch, Ndubuisi Idenyi, was suspended by the university administration for convening a meeting of ASUU’s Ethics, Grievances, Conflict and Crisis Management Committee.
He equally said that the Branch Chairperson, Mr Ikecheku Igwenyi, was also suspended for convening an online meeting to convey the union’s National Executive Council’s resolutions to members of the Branch.
“The Chairperson has also been denied his promotion to the professorial cadre since 2017, and worse still, the university administration has banned the union’s activities on the campus.
“This is a clear violation of the fundamental right to freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution,” he said.
Prof. Abdulkadir Muhammad noted that these violations of university rules and regulations are not limited to Kogi State University, Lagos State University, and Ebonyi State University, but are prevalent in many other universities as well.
He criticized the dehumanization of staff, denial of promotions, non-payment of backlogged salaries and arrears, as well as the infringement on justice and freedom of assembly for union members.
He also expressed concern over the reported increase in violations of fundamental human rights and various forms of victimization affecting union members across numerous public universities.
“We, therefore, call on the respective university administrations, governing councils, and visitors of the affected universities to respect the university laws, as well as the freedom of assembly and association.
“We also want an end to the victimisation of innocent intellectuals and their families and urged the respective authorities to recall all the illegally suspended members and reinstate those unjustly dismissed,” Muhammad said.
Recall that ASUU had earlier called for an immediate halt to the alleged victimization and dismissal of its members in various public institutions, including Ebonyi State University, EBSU, in Abakaliki.
(Vanguard)
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