SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS UNIONISM IN LASU UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND UNDEMOCRATIC

If the Action Congress of Nigeria is to be taken serious as Nigeria's most credible opposition political party, I suggest the party should develop a good democratic standard that will guide state governments on its platform to provide good examples of how a democratic society should be run.

 

To start with, the Lagos State Government should urgently remind the Senate of the Lagos State University (LASU) that Nigeria is no longer under military dictatorship and therefore, under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, every citizen have a guaranteed right of association. The Senate of LASU has no right to suspend Students Union activities in LASU; and the students have every right, like every other citizen of Nigeria, to protest against any policy considered to be against their collective interests.

 

The Senate of LASU fell short of a good example of a citadel of qualitative intellectual development by its obvious intolerant disposition to opposing ideas.

 

So, if students disagree with the institution or whatever agency or organ introduced the contentious hike in school fees, the next thing is to proscribe or suspend the Students Union? This is not right.

 

The performance of the Lagos State Government so far has elicited wide applause across the country and beyond and the undemocratic dispositions of the Senate of LASU will sure rub on the success of the ACN Government in the delivery of good governance.

 

THE SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS UNION ACTIVITIES IN LASU SHOULD BE LIFTED IMMEDIATELY. IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, UNDEMOCRATIC AND CLEARLY AN INFRINGEMENT OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL THE STUDENTS UNDER SECTION 40 OF OUR CONSTITION.