– Calls For Dialogue, Due Process
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned in very strong terms, the unilateral dissolution of the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State by the institution’s management.
NANS, in a press release signed by its National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, stated that “The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has received with grave concern the memorandum issued by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, University of Port Harcourt, announcing the dissolution of the Students’ Union, Hall Representatives and all other Students’ Union activities with immediate effect.
While the University Management has the right to investigate allegations of misconduct and demand accountability from elected student representatives, NANS unequivocally rejects the blanket dissolution of the Students’ Union Government and the suspension of legitimate students’ representative activities without due process, transparency and fair hearing”.
The group also noted that “The Student Union Government is not a personal property of the Vice-Chancellor or any university administrator. It is a democratic institution established to represent the interests and welfare of students. Its elected officers were chosen by the students and cannot simply be removed from office through an administrative memorandum without clear allegations, proper investigation and the opportunity for the affected officers to defend themselves.
We are particularly concerned that the memorandum demands the immediate handover of Union properties, official documents and financial records while simultaneously directing the officers to appear before an investigative panel when invited. This raises serious questions about the transparency, fairness and independence of the process.
NANS will not stand by while the democratic rights of Nigerian students are suspended through administrative fiat”.
The release further reads thus, “We therefore call on the University Management to: Immediately suspend the implementation of the dissolution order; Respect the democratic mandate of the elected Students’ Union officials; Make public the specific allegations and reasons for the action; Constitute a transparent, impartial and properly constituted investigative panel; Guarantee the affected student leaders their right to fair hearing and defence;
Refrain from any form of intimidation, victimisation or disciplinary action against student leaders for exercising their legitimate representative responsibilities.
Let it be clearly understood that NANS is not opposed to accountability. Any student leader found culpable of financial misconduct or any other offence must be held accountable in accordance with due process. However, accountability cannot be used as a weapon to destroy students’ democracy or silence legitimate student representation.
The University of Port Harcourt is a citadel of learning and democracy. The solution to any disagreement between the Management and the Students’ Union is dialogue, investigation and due process not the unilateral suspension of students’ democratic institutions.
NANS is engaging relevant stakeholders and will take all necessary lawful steps to protect the rights, welfare and democratic institutions of students at the University of Port Harcourt.
We demand the immediate reversal of this dissolution order pending the conclusion of a transparent and fair investigation”.
