The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has slammed the University of Port Harcourt’s decision to dissolve its Students’ Union Government (SUG), describing the move as a violation of students’ democratic rights.
Key Highlights
- The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the University of Port Harcourt’s decision to dissolve its Students’ Union Government (SUG), describing it as a violation of students’ democratic rights.
- The university dissolved the three arms of the SUG, hall representatives, and all union-related activities, directing elected student leaders to hand over official property and appear before an investigative panel.
- University management did not disclose the reasons for the dissolution or the specific allegations prompting the investigation.
- NANS President Babatunde Akinteye argued that while the university has the authority to investigate student leaders, due process, transparency, and fair hearing must be observed before imposing disciplinary measures.
- NANS called on the university to suspend the dissolution order, disclose the reasons behind the action, establish an impartial investigative panel, and reinstate the Students’ Union pending the outcome of a transparent investigation.
The university, through a memorandum signed by the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Geoffrey Woke, on the directive of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Princewill Chike, announced the immediate dissolution of the three arms of the Students’ Union Government, hall representatives, and all other union-related activities.
The institution also directed all elected student leaders to hand over union property, including official documents, financial records, keys, identification materials and other assets, while instructing them to appear before an investigative panel to account for their stewardship.
The memo warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract disciplinary sanctions.
However, the university did not state the reason behind the dissolution or disclose the issues being investigated.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye faulted the university’s action, insisting that although the management has the authority to investigate allegations against student leaders, such investigations must follow due process.
According to Akinteye, dissolving a democratically elected students’ union without transparency, fair hearing or clear justification amounts to an abuse of administrative powers.
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He argued that the affected officials should first be informed of the allegations against them and given an opportunity to defend themselves before any disciplinary measures are taken.
The NANS president also questioned the directive requiring union leaders to surrender official documents and financial records before appearing before the investigative panel, saying the sequence raises concerns about the fairness and independence of the process.
He called on the university management to immediately suspend the dissolution order, publicly disclose the reasons behind the decision, and constitute an impartial investigative panel to guarantee a fair hearing for all affected student leaders.
Akinteye stressed that NANS supports accountability and does not oppose sanctions against any student leader found guilty of misconduct after a transparent investigation.
However, he warned that accountability should not be used as a tool to suppress student representation or weaken democratic institutions on campus.
He added that the association has begun consultations with relevant stakeholders and would pursue lawful means to protect students’ rights, while demanding the immediate reinstatement of the students’ union pending the outcome of a transparent and credible investigation.
