Following the Kogi State Government’s proscription on the Academic Staff Union of University, Kogi State University Branch (ASUU-KSU), the union in response said the Governor, Alh Yahaya Bello has no legal standing to proscribe, accusing him of working with “demons” in the university.
The union did not only dare the Governor’s pronouncement by holding its congress on Thursday 20th July, 2017 on the campus, but also vowed to continue the about six months old strike pending the intervention of the National Body on the 22nd.
In a statement signed by the Zonal Coordinator Professor U.D.Ikoni and made available to newsmen, the union stated that only the National Assembly can validly make any pronouncement on labour matters.
“By section 40 of the Constitution, every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade Union or any other association for the protection of interests.
“ASUU, as a trade union of academics in Nigerian universities is a body of intellectuals that cannot be allegedly proscribed on the page of newspaper or other social media. The action of Mr Yahaya Bello of allegedly proscribing ASSU-KSU Anyigba therefore smacked off ignorance of the position of law and brings to fore the question of whether he has the mental capacity and the needed leadership quality or ability to lead the state as s a governor.
“Mr Yahaya Bello is not alone in this dastardly obnoxious, primitive and draconian act. He is doing it in conjunction with the monsters and demons within the university system- in this case, Kogi State University Anyigba. If not, how do you explain the attitude of the Vice-Chancellor and other principal officials of the University,” it said.
The union also directed the lecturers to abstain from duty until further directives.
It added: “The threat of the adolescent Governor of kogi state amounts to empty noise and nothing else. Mr Yahaya Bello has no power to proscribe ASSU-KSU, Anyigba. Remain strong, United and resolute in the face of this empty threat as your employment is regulated by statues and cannot be vitiated by mere pronouncement of an adolescent tout who assumed the position of Governor accidentally.
“NEC is holding on the 22 of July, 2017 and will address this ugly development, using all legal men’s possible. No member of the ASU -KSU,Anyigba should resume duty as the strike is still in force. All members of the Union should stay away from the university until further directive from NEC . Nobody should sign any register, as you will be doing so at your own peril.”
