The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has lamented an alleged victimisation of its members in some universities in the zone.
In a statement in Kaduna on Friday, Prof. Abdulkadir Muhammad, ASUU Zonal Coordinator in the state, described the development 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 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, 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.”
Muhammad claimed that 120 ASUU members were unfairly dismissed from KSU in the past seven years for advocating for better working conditions, better welfare packages, backlogged salaries and allowances, and adequate university funding.
Despite seeking legal redress, the court ruled in favour of the university.
“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.
He also claimed that in September 2017, the chairperson and vice chairperson of the union at LASU were illegally terminated for insisting on strict adherence to due process in administering the university.
He further stated that in September 2019, the union’s secretary and assistant secretary were sacked for asking for the revocation of one of the lecturers’ erroneous promotion to the level of professor.
“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 claimed that at EBSU, the immediate past Chairperson of the Branch, Ndubuisi Idenyi, was suspended by the university administration for holding a meeting of ASUU’s Ethics, Grievances, Conflict, and Crisis Management Committee.
He further stated that the Branch Chairperson, Mr. Ikecheku Igwenyi, had been suspended for organising an online meeting to deliver the union’s National Executive Council resolutions to Branch members.
“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.
The zonal coordinator further claimed that at EBSU, the immediate past Chairperson of the Branch, Ndubuisi Idenyi, was suspended by the university administration for holding a meeting of ASUU’s Ethics, Grievances, Conflict, and Crisis Management Committee.
He further stated that the Branch Chairperson, Mr. Ikecheku Igwenyi, had been suspended for organising an online meeting to deliver the union’s National Executive Council resolutions to Branch members.
“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.
