ASUU decries alleged lecturers’ victimisation

The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has raised the alarm that over 120 members were being victimised through unjust termination of appointments, even as it disclosed that some members were owed 28-month salaries.

In particular, the union accused the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, of victimising members for opposing the conferment of professorship on former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

The union made this known on Sunday, at a press conference held at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The Zonal Coordinator of the union, Prof Oyebamiji Oyegoke, while addressing the conference, said, “The onslaught by some elements of the Nigerian state, in its quest at destroying what is left of Nigerian public universities, has not abated,” adding that “the latest onslaught is now from visitors and university administrators.”

The Ibadan zone of the ASUU comprises the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, LAUTECH, Osun State University, Osogbo; Kwara State University, Malete; and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.

Prof Oyegoke said over 120 members were unjustly sacked at the Kogi State University, Anyigba, for participating in the strike.

He added that ASUU members at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, were demanding justice on 28 months of unpaid salaries, adding that they were also opposing undue amendment of conditions of service by the special intervention team and the rejection of notional promotion of members.

“Over 120 members of the union were unjustly sacked at the Kogi State University, Anyigba, for participating in the strike.

“At Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, ASUU members are demanding justice on 28 months of unpaid salaries, and are opposing undue amendment of conditions of service by the Special Intervention Team, and rejection of notional promotion of members,” Prof Oyegoke said.

“More specifically, we frowned on the interminable calamities being meted against our members at the Lagos State University, Ojoo, KSU, Anyigba; Ebonyi State University, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, and the FUTO, among other campuses where our members are being unlawfully suspended, unjustly diminished, denied promotion, and salaries withheld for insisting on the rule of law and insistence on defending the autonomy status of universities.

“It is unfortunate that the situation has not changed, highlighting the need to reinforce our opposition to the unacceptable conditions in the aforementioned universities. As the saying goes, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Oyegoke added.

Oyegoke called on the Lagos State Governor, to unconditionally reinstate LASU’s branch chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer who were dismissed on trumped-up charges more than seven years ago.

He lamented that in EBSU, Abakaliki, the university authorities chose to appeal the judgment which was in favour of its victimised members.

The union appealed to “opinion leaders, traditional and religious leaders, media, labour movements, students’ group and civil society organizations to demand from concerned university administrations, governing councils and visitors, an immediate reinstatement of all members that were wrongly sacked.

It also asked that all forms of victimisation against members be stopped immediately.