The controversy between the Kogi State government and the Academic Staff Union of University, Kogi State University Branch (ASUU-KSU), took a new twist on Thursday as the union accused Governor Yahaya Bello of working with demons in the institution.
The union said Bello has no legal backing to proscribe them.
ASUU KSU at an emergency Congress in Anyingba on Thursday, vowed to continue the over six-month old strike pending the intervention of the National Body on the 22nd July 2017.
According to a statement signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Professor U.D. Ikoni and made available to DAILY POST, the union frowned at the proscription as announced by the visitor to the institution stating that, only the National Assembly can validly make any pronouncement on labour matters.
Professor Ikoni explained that “By section 40 of the Constitution, every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade Union or any other association for the protection of interests.
“ASUU, as a trade union of academics in Nigerian universities is a body of intellectuals that cannot be allegedly proscribed on the page of newspaper or other social media. The action of Mr Yahaya Bello of allegedly proscribing ASSU-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 or ability to lead the state as s a governor.
“Mr Yahaya Bello is not alone in this dastardly obnoxious, primitive and draconian act. He is doing it in conjunction with the monsters and demons within the university system.
” If not, how do you explain the attitude of the Vice-Chancellor and other principal officials of the university.”
ASUU while directing their lecturers to abstain from duty until further directives were given also admonished them not to be disturbed with the threat coming from the state government.
“The threat of the adolescent Governor of kogi state amounts to empty noise and nothing else. Mr Yahaya Bello has no power to proscribe ASSU-KSU, Anyigba. Remain strong, United and resolute in the face of this empty threat as your employment is regulated by statues and cannot be vitiated by mere pronouncement of an adolescent tout who assumed the position of Governor accidentally.
“No member of the ASU -KSU, Anyigba should resume duty as the strike is still in force. All members of the Union should stay away from the university until further directive from NEC . Nobody should sign any register, as you will be doing so at your own peril,” It added
ASUU said they will address the ugly development using legal means after the union concludes its National Executive Council meeting on the 22 of July, 2017.
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