ASUU Laments Victimization Of Members By Varsities’ Mgt

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has lamented that a large number of its members are facing persecution, victimization, intimidation among others by some universities management for fighting for their rights and interest of university system.

In a release jointly signed by the Chairperson, ASUU, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Michael Chikezie Ugwuene and the branch secretary, Comrade Charles Efe Osodeke and made available to newsmen today, the Union revealed that their colleagues in Kogi State University (KSU), Anyimgba; Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO); Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam; Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki; Lagos State University (LASU) Ojoo and Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma among others, have been unjustly sacked and their salaries withheld for inexplicable reasons.

This, they said has brought untold hardship to affected members in COOU Igbariam whose salary have been withheld for over 12 months now for opposing violations of academic standards by the university authority.

ASUU further alleged that the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), has continued to persecute and torment their members at the branch for their unwaivering stand against the promotion of Dr. Isa Ibrahim Ali Pantami to the rank of Professor.

The Union also regretted that that the Vice Chancellor has unjustifiably stopped Union leaders from attending statutory meetings of Senate and University committees, describing such as cases of victimization and intimidation.

ASUU also lamented that the university administration also locked up the Union’s Secretariat and prevented members from holding Congress, meeting etc at COOU.

ASUU is also disturbed at the situation in Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki, where the university administration rather than implement the court judgment which was in favour of our union is now prolonging legal actions by appealing the judgment. Justice delayed is justice denied.

“ASUU MOUAU is using this medium to reaffirm her support to ASUU NEC in condemning the obnoxious and faceless actions of the university administrations where our union members are subjected to all kinds of inhumane treatment, victimization and persecution”.

The Union commended the steadfastness of the victimized lecturers in the affected branches, urging them to remain resolute.

ASUU MOUAU called on the Visitors and stakeholders to the affected universities to urgently wade into the situation and resolve all the lingering issues being perpetrated by the Vice Chancellors in the interest of peace.

“ASUU is solidly behind her members being persecuted in the affected universities for injury to one is injury to all”, ASUU further stated.