ASUU decries victimisation of lecturers, calls for reinstatement of sacked members

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU has expressed worry over the incessant victimization, intimidation, harassment and dehumanization of its members in public universities in the country.

This was contained in a statement signed by ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Professor Abdulkadir Muhammad and issued to newsmen.

According to the statement, “The victimization is mainly perpetrated by the university administrations with tacit and, at times, open endorsement of the Chairmen of the Governing Councils and Visitors of the affected universities”

“The obnoxious, unjust and callous victimization 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 are at the Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma; Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Igbariam.

In the Kogi State University, KSU, 120 members of ASUU have been unjustly dismissed for over seven years now, largely for demanding conducive working conditions, better welfare package, payment of backlog of salaries and allowances and adequate funding of the university”

Prof Muhammad explained that the affected members sought legal redress and unfortunately the court ruled against the victims and in favour of the University.

The Zonal Coordinator has now called on the respective university administrations, Governing Councils and the Visitors of the affected universities to respect the university laws, respect freedom of assembly and association, and end the victimization of innocent intellectuals and their families.