PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the dissolution of the Students’ Union Government of the University of Port Harcourt, describing the move as a suspension of students’ democratic rights without due process.
Okay News reports that NANS’ reaction followed a memorandum by the university’s Office of the Dean of Student Affairs announcing the immediate dissolution of the Students’ Union, Hall Representatives and other union activities.
In a statement signed by its National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, NANS said the university management had the right to investigate allegations of misconduct but could not remove elected student representatives through an administrative memorandum without clear allegations, proper investigation and fair hearing.
The students’ body described the Students’ Union Government as a democratic institution established to represent students’ interests and welfare, insisting that it was not the personal property of the Vice-Chancellor or any university administrator.
NANS also questioned the directive for union officials to immediately hand over union properties, documents and financial records while remaining subject to an investigative panel, saying the arrangement raised concerns about the transparency and independence of the process.
The association called on the university management to immediately suspend the dissolution order, respect the mandate of elected union officials and publicly disclose the specific allegations against them.
It further demanded the constitution of a transparent and impartial investigative panel and urged the university to guarantee the affected student leaders their right to fair hearing and defence.
NANS warned against intimidation, victimisation or disciplinary action against student leaders for carrying out their legitimate representative responsibilities.
While stressing that it was not opposed to accountability, the association said any student leader found culpable of financial misconduct or other offences should be sanctioned in accordance with due process.
“Accountability cannot be used as a weapon to destroy students’ democracy or silence legitimate student representation,” NANS said.
The association said it was engaging relevant stakeholders and would take all necessary lawful steps to protect the rights and democratic institutions of students at the University of Port Harcourt.
NANS consequently demanded the immediate reversal of the dissolution order pending the conclusion of a transparent and fair investigation.
