By: Sonaike Peter
Eight students have written a petition to the leadership of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union as a follow-up to the earlier call for a general meeting of the Students’ Union dated Thursday, 25th July, 2024.
A copy of the letter obtained by IndyPress titled “A Letter of Petition On the Failure to Call a Congress” was addressed to both the Executive Council and the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan Students’ Union.
Students who undersigned the petition are Awoyemi Michael, Nice Linus, Aduwo Ayodele, Adediran Faith, Ojo Olusegun, Olajide Olawale, Babatimehin Peace, and Olanshile Ogunrinu.
“We, students of the University of Ibadan hereby write to petition the University of Ibadan Students’ Union leadership for its refusal to respond to the request for a general meeting of the Students’ Union, University of Ibadan” the letter reads.
“Hinged on the need to re-evaluate the general outcome of the July 16 and 17 protests, especially as it relates to the increment in school fees and victimization of the UI’SDC3, among other things, a letter demanding for Congress with over 250 signatories, as provided in Article thirteen of the Students’ Union Constitution was acknowledged by the Students’ Union on the 25th of July, 2024. However, the Students’ Union has flagrantly refused to heed the call for Congress despite students highlighting the urgency of the matter” the letter further reads.
“We find this refusal unconstitutional and unbecoming of people who are purportedly representing the interests of students. Against this backdrop, we strongly demand that the University of Ibadan Students’ Union leadership calls for Congress to re-evaluate the general outcome of the July 16 and 17 protests.”
“At the expiration of a three working days’ultimatum, which will lapse on Friday, 2nd of August, 2024, further refusal to heed this call would have us resolve to peaceful demonstrations at the Kunle Adepeju Memorial Students’ Union Building to press home our rightful demand for a Congress” the petition concluded.
Copies of the petition were addressed to the Students’ Union Executive Council, University of Ibadan; the Students Representative Council, University of Ibadan; the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan; Council of Faculty Presidents, University of Ibadan; Council of Hall Chairpersons, University of Ibadan; the Dean of Students Affairs, University of Ibadan; the Chief Security Officer, University of Ibadan; the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS); the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU); the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities(SSANU); the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
