The Academic Staff Union of Universities’ Kano Zone has expressed displeasure over the alleged victimisation of its members in a few of the zone’s universities.
In a statement released in Kaduna on Friday, Prof. Abdulkadir Muhammad, the Zonal Coordinator, called the development a “gross violation” of university policies and procedures.
He said that: “ASUU-Kano Zone is deeply disillusioned and saddened by the incessant victimisation, intimidation, harassment and dehumanisation of its members in some 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, 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.”
Muhammad claimed that throughout the previous seven years, 120 ASUU members at KSU had been wrongfully fired for calling for favourable working conditions, improved welfare benefits, the settlement of arrears on salary and benefits, and sufficient finance for the institution.
He continued by saying that the impacted members had filed a lawsuit, but sadly, the court decided in favour of the university and against the victims.
“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.
Additionally, he claimed that in September 2017, the Chair and Vice Chair of the union at LASU were unlawfully removed for their insistence on rigorous adherence to due process when managing the institution’s operations.
Additionally, he asserted that in September 2019, the union’s Secretary and Assistant Secretary were fired for asking that the improper promotion of one of the lecturers to the level of professor be reversed.
“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 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 said that Ndubuisi Idenyi, the immediate past chairperson of the Branch at EBSU, was suspended by the administration of the university for calling a meeting of the ASUU Ethics, Grievances, Conflict and Crisis Management Committee.
He added that Mr. Ikecheku Igwenyi, the Branch Chairperson, had also been suspended for calling an online meeting to inform Branch members of the resolutions passed by the union National Executive Council.
“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.
He asserts that these infractions of the rules and regulations of the institution are not unique to KSU, LASU, or EBSU, but are instead possible at many other universities.
He scowled at the union members’ dehumanisation, denial of advancement, failure to pay overdue salary and arrears, mockery of justice, and denial of their right to free assembly and association.
He also voiced his displeasure over what he perceived to be an increase in the union members’ other fundamental human rights being violated and over all types of victimisation occurring in numerous public colleges.
“We, therefore, call on the respective university administrations, Governing Councils and the 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.
