ASUU Knocks Gov Bello, You’re Ignorant, Lack Mental Capacity To Lead Kogi

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kogi State chapter, has slammed Governor Yahaya Bello over his prohibition of ASUU in Kogi State University.

It would be recalled that Governor Bello had on Wednesday proscribed the Union in the university after an emergency meeting by the State Executive Council in Lokoja.

The governor had earlier today said ASUU-KSU had become “more or less like a political party”, saying their conduct in the whole matter shows “ there are certain forces from certain areas that were pushing “ them.

But in a statement by the zonal coordinator, Nsukka Zone of the union, Prof David Ikoni, said Governor Bello lacked the powers to ban the Union from Kogi State University.

Ikoni said, “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.”

He said, “The actions of the governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, of allegedly proscribing ASUU-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 to lead the as a Governor.”

“It is evident that some academic staff of the university, are yet to receive their salaries for upward of 14 months contrary to the statement credit to the governor that they have fulfilled over 90 per cent of their demand and have gone a step further to pay all outstanding salaries of both cleared and uncleared staffs 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 the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kogi State University Branch.

“The continuous failure of government to fulfil its obligations to the Union is a clear indication of Kogi State Government’s insincerity and noncommittal attitude to the development of education sector in the state.

“As an end to this strike, the Union demands equivocal withdrawal of the statement allegedly proscribing ASUU-KSU, Anyigba with 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, Anyigba, democratic running of the University with involvement if the elected representatives of Union of workers and students in all the decision-making organs of the University; return to negotiating table with Union to chart the way forward,” said the zonal Cordinator.