THE Peoples Alternative Political Movement (TPAP-M) on Thursday condemned the closure of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) following protest by students of the university on October 1, 2021.
The protest, which was reportedly peaceful, was organised by the students against the deplorable condition of the university’s health centre which the students alleged contributed to the death of a 400-level female student, Adeshina Aishat.
TPAP-M, in its statement entitled; “Reopen OAU Now, Meet All Students Demands!” said it considers the closure of the institution unjustifiable because the protest was not only peaceful, but also that there was no evidence of destruction of properties. It also argued that since the protest held on October 1, which was a public holiday, there was no disruption of any administrative and academic activities.
Saying: “No to witch-hunt and victimisation of any student” and “Respect the right to Independent Students Unionism; the signatories to the statement, which include; Comrade Hassan Taiwo (Soweto); Chairperson, Youth Outreach Committee, Comrade Emeka Onuh, Secretary, Youth Outreach Committee of TPAP-M and Comrade Omotoye Olorode as well as Comrade Jaye Gaskia, both of TPAP-M Secretariat; condemned OAU’s Senate for endorsing what they described as the “Vice Chancellor’s rash action.”
“Such endorsement only goes to show how the Senate of a citadel of learning exists more or less at the same moral level as the rubber stamp parliaments of Nigeria’s corrupt and roguish ruling class,” the signatories stated.
The statement further reads: “We hereby demand the immediate and unconditional opening of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the meeting of all students’ demands. This includes the immediate overhaul of the University health centre through adequate funding, staffing and provisioning and its democratic management by elected representatives of staff and students.
“We also demand that no student should be harassed, invited to disciplinary panel or victimized on account of the protest. We also say no to any form of reparation as no properties were damaged by the protesting students who were peaceful. We also demand adequate compensation to the family of Adeshina Aishat whose death could have been avoided if the health centre was in good shape.
“We condemn the Senate of the University for endorsing the Vice Chancellor’s rash action. Such endorsement only goes to show how the Senate of a citadel of learning exists more or less at the same moral level as the rubber stamp parliaments of Nigeria’s corrupt and roguish ruling class.
“We commend the OAU Chapter of the Academic Staff Unions of Universities (ASUU) for its statement which clearly recognized the protest of students as “legitimate”. We hereby charge the union to go beyond statement by boldly condemning the closure, demand that no student be victimized and also be prepared to offer every possible solidarity to the students until the demands are won.
“In the statement announcing the closure, the authorities suspended the plans to inaugurate the newly elected students’ union leadership. This is a union that was only recently restored after years of proscription. Infact elections were held in September just before the protest broke out. The statement from the University is ominous as it shows the management may be uncomfortable with the restoration of the union following the October 1st protest and may want to deny the new leadership recently elected official recognition.
“TPAPM calls on the authorities of the University not to think of toying with the restoration of the OAU union following the protest as this will only worsen the crisis on the campus. We demand the inauguration of the newly-elected students’ union leadership and the recognition of its rights to independence without interference from the authorities and their agents.
“Last but not the least, TPAPM restate its commitment to defend the rights and interest of workers, youth, students and poor masses.Our stand remains that Nigeria’s resources are enough to fund public education adequately but for corruption and capitalism. We condemn the growing attacks and clampdown on the rights of students and staff to freedom of speech and assembly by authorities of tertiary institutions and governments across the country. We call on students and educational workers to remain vigilant and be prepared to unite to defend their rights and interests at all times.
“To this extent we hereby serve notice that TPAPM and its affiliates shall be prepared at all times to solidarise with OAU students should any of their rights and interests be attacked by the University administration. We call on students not to relent but to launch a national campaign for the reopening of the institution through protest actions at media stations in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and other state capitals across the country. If we fight we may win, but if we don’t, we have already lost.”
TPAP-M is a coalition of individuals and organisations committed to the emergence of a mass workers party and the socialist transformation of Nigeria.
