ASUU denounces alleged victimization of members in 5 universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yola Zone, has condemned alleged victimisation of members in five universities.

The Yola Zonal Office of ASUU which draws its membership from universities in Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe and Borno states, said in a statement on Saturday that members were facing unjustified “absolute victimisation” in Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma; Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyimba, and Chukwu Emeka Odumegu Ojukwu University, Igbariam.

In the statement signed by the Yola Zonal Coordinator, Dani Mamman, ASUU said members of the union in the universities are subjected to abuse of rights because they dared to stand for the truth.

“Our members are being subjected to psychological trauma and other forms of victimisation ranging from physical assault, dismissal from service, denial of promotion, stifling of union activities, suspension from duty and statutory meetings, non-payment of promotion arrears, deliberate seizure of salaries, no remittance of third party deductions, the list goes on,” ASUU stated.

The ASUU Yola Zone added that it has chosen to speak out in solidarity with victimized lecturers throughout the country, particularly those in the listed universities, as an injury to one is an injury to all.

“The dangerous trend has manifested alarmingly in the illegal dismissal of union members for participating in union activities during the 2021 national strike,” the union added.

It wondered how a particular university would sack 120 lecturers if the university wishes to produce well educated graduates.

ASUU insisted that many lecturers are punished for asserting themselves, stating, “Our members who refuse to succumb to the wrongdoings of university management are made scapegoats.”

The ASUU Yola Zone demanded immediate reinstatement of all wrongfully dismissed union members and the prompt payment of their withheld salaries.

“We call on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and all relevant stakeholders to intervene decisively to halt this creeping fascism,” the union added.