Kogi State Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kogi State University, Anyigba Chapter, has said the state government lacks power to proscribe the union in the state-owned university, following Governor Yahaya Bello’s action in that regard.
The Zonal Coordinator of the union, Prof. David Ikoni, while addressing reporters at Lokoja, the state capital, said the action of the governor was based on his ignorance of the law and the rules guiding the operation of ASUU.
It could be recalled that Bello had last Wednesday proscribed the activities of ASUU, Kogi State chapter, following the prolonged industrial action embarked upon for seven months by the union, and equally ordered the governing council to consider any academic staff that failed to resume at work immediately as having resigned.
Bello claimed he met with over 90 percent of ASUU’s demands and also gone a step further to pay all outstanding salaries of both cleared and un-cleared staff members. However, the Zonal Coordinator stated that as a trade union, ASUU is a body of intellectuals that could not be proscribed on the pages of newspapers or other social media platforms.
He emphasized that “By section 40 of the constitution, every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interest. The actions of Governor Bello allegedly proscribing ASUU-KDU Anyigba therefore smacks of ignorance of the position of a leader and brings to fore the question of whether he has the mental capacity and the needed leadership quality to lead as a governor”.
“It is evident that some academic staff of the university are yet to receive their salaries for upward 14 months contrary to the statement credited to Governor Bello that they have fulfilled over 90 per cent of their demands and have gone a step further to pay all outstanding salaries of both cleared and un-cleared staff including those that have committed one crime or the other. This is a white lie being orchestrated by the governor to blackmail the members of ASUU, kogi State chapter,” the zonal coordinator said.
Ikoni emphasized that for the university system to function effectively, the stakeholders need to work in tandem with ASUU to a great extent with a clear sense of focused mission and vision.
He stressed that ASUU as a trade union with several members had every right to struggle and agitate for the protection of the interest and welfare of its members especially in a democratic dispensation.
He also called on Kogi chapter to remain steadfast in the strike as no amount of intimidation by the state governor could stop them from agitating for their legitimate rights for a better personal emolument and working environment.
“As an end to the strike, the union demands unequivocal withdrawal of the statement allegedly proscribing ASUU – KSU, Anyigba with an apology to the members of our union and the general public; payment of arrears of 14 months salaries owed to academic staff, especially those employed following due process in 2015; restoration of full university with autonomy to Kogi state university, Ayingba; democratic running of the university with elected representatives of workers union and students in all the decision making organs of the university and also returning to the negotiating table with union to chart the way forward,” stressed Ikoni.
Victoria Nnakiaike, Lokoja
