Kuni Tyessi, Abuja
A faction of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), has questioned and condemned the move of the Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello over his recent decision to scrap the Academic Staff Union of Universities‎ (ASUU) in the state owned institution, Kogi State University (KSU).
Also, the Association disclosed that it has been holding talks with stakeholders involved in the closure of the institution which has been re-opened, in order to forestall possible challenges that might affect its academic calendar.
The President of the association, Comrade Aruna Kadiri, who briefed Journalists ‎in Abuja, on the attempt by some politicians to derail the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the lawful exercise of its constitutional mandate, said, “they have opened our campus and our campus is running. Our major problem now is that government has scrapped ASUU and we have been telling the governor that he cannot fight ASUU because we are going to join ASUU to fight this one and that is the major problem. We are trying to collectively sort things out as we speak. We have been on the issue and have been ironing it out.”
Similarly, the association has called for the rule of law in the recall process of the senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Senator Dino Melaye, and has stated in unequivocal terms that‎ INEC should be allowed to carry out its statutory functions in the recall of an erring representative and the wishes of the people being represented should be respected.
While alleging that some politicians had resorted to the use of blackmail against the INEC boss and erstwhile Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, in order to stop the recall process of Sen. Melaye, the association revealed that it has commenced mass mobilisation of Nigeria students to be watchful of the developments.
According to him, “It must be stated without equivocation that it is the constitutional right of the people to recall their representatives where such representative is not performing. It is also within the legitimate mandate of INEC to follow through the process upon receipt of the petition signed by the required number of people.
“The Senate is going to probe the activities of TETFund. It is within the competence of the distinguished senators to do so. However, we seriously frown at the attempt of some persons to twist and attempt to purport that the INEC halted process because of the mooted probe of TETFund. This is a failed blackmail and we reject it completely.
“NANS has therefore commenced mass mobilisation of our students and Nigerians to be watchful to ensure that this plot by certain political jobbers who have failed our country and democracy does not get a foothold in their attempt to hijack the 2019 general elections in order to perpetuate themselves in power.”
