The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the dissolution of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Port Harcourt, describing the decision by the university management as an assault on students’ democracy and a violation of the principles of due process.
The umbrella body of Nigerian students, in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, on Saturday, faulted the memorandum issued by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, which announced the immediate dissolution of the Students’ Union, Hall Representatives and all other union activities.
While acknowledging the university management’s right to investigate allegations of misconduct against elected student leaders, NANS argued that dissolving the union without a transparent process and fair hearing was unacceptable.
According to the association, the Students’ Union Government is a democratic institution established to protect the interests and welfare of students and cannot be dissolved through an administrative directive without clearly stating the allegations against its elected officials.
The statement read in part, “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 Students’ Union Government is not the personal property of the Vice Chancellor or any university administrator. Its officers were elected by students and cannot simply be removed through an administrative memorandum without clear allegations, proper investigation and the opportunity to defend themselves.”
NANS also expressed concern over the directive ordering the immediate handover of union properties, official documents and financial records while the affected officers were simultaneously instructed to appear before an investigative panel.
The association said the development raised questions about the transparency, fairness and independence of the investigative process.
It warned that it would not remain silent while democratic institutions within Nigerian universities were weakened through what it described as administrative fiat.
The students’ body called on the University of Port Harcourt management to immediately suspend the implementation of the dissolution order, respect the democratic mandate of the elected Students’ Union officials, publicly disclose the allegations against them and constitute an impartial investigative panel that would guarantee the affected officers a fair hearing.
NANS further urged the management to refrain from intimidating or victimising student leaders for carrying out their legitimate representative responsibilities.
The association maintained that it was not opposed to accountability, insisting that any student leader found guilty of financial misconduct or any other offence should be sanctioned in accordance with established procedures.
However, it stressed that disciplinary measures must not be used as a pretext to suppress students’ democracy.
“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 statement added.
The association disclosed that it had commenced engagements with relevant stakeholders and vowed to pursue all lawful means to safeguard the rights, welfare and democratic institutions of students at the University of Port Harcourt.
It also demanded the immediate reversal of the dissolution order pending the outcome of what it described as a transparent, impartial and fair investigation.
