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By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
University students who are on forced holiday courtesy of the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Strike, have issued: ‘No school, no election’ threat to the Federal Government.
They issued the threat in a protest on Wednesday, 4 May, 2022 in Benin-City, Edo State Capital.
For better hours of the day, under the close watch of security operatives; students majorly from the University of Benin, and the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma seized the City Centre: King’s Square (Ring road) chanting different songs of revolution; protesting the seeming non challant posture of Government to their plight.
They said; students are not taking side with any of the feuding parties: ASUU and Federal Government, rather, all they want is the reopening of the schools to enable them continue their studies; else, there will be no election in the country.
They criticized Government for being so committed to the preparation for another election to enable politicians grab power; whereas, students are left to rot at home without addressing issues raised by the ASUU.
Hence, the nation would witness unprecedented disruption of the elections if the prevailing situation is not urgently reversed, they threatened.
“They are busy buying nomination form for N100m, a sum which could help to a large extent in addressing what ASUU is asking.
“These politicians have sent their children abroad to school, and the children of the talakawas are left at home to be continually fed with eba and egusi soup by parents; what do you expect?
“In the next few days if the Federal Government fails to do something worthwhile, what happened during the EndSars protest will be a tip of the iceberg,” one of the protesting students said.
The President, Students Union Government (SUG) UNIBEN, Forster Amadin also spoke with Journalists.
“The reason we are here, is to register our displeasure about the on going ASUU strike.
“As it stands, today makes it 71 days we have been at home, and it was obvious, as it dawn on us that the Federal Government is not doing anything, but they are going about their normal activities as regards the electoral process.
“Also, it became dawn on us that ASUU are going about their normal activities as well, we don’t know why; but for us who are directly affected; for us whose education have been stagnated; for us whose education have been sabotaged; and for us; we know when one is above 30 years, one cannot go for the NYSC, and when one is going for a job in the country; it is required to show the NYSC call up letter.
“And we have lost two students already: Oboh and Ochuko who died because they were not in school. Obviously if they were in school attending classes, probably they wouldn’t have died and we do not know what will further befall us.
“Hence we who are knowledgeable about the suffering we are going through staying at home, we are begging whoever is concerned to call off the strike as soon as possible, because we want to go back to our classes.
“We are not for ASUU, we are not fighting against anyone, rather, we are registering our displeasure, appealing, seeking, praying, and hoping that the strike should be called off.”
The students have promised to sustain the protest which they said is nationwide, until their demand is addressed.
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