The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the dissolution of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Students’ Union Government (SUG), describing the action as a breach of students’ democratic rights and insisting that due process must be followed in addressing allegations against elected student leaders.
In a statement issued at the weekend and signed by its National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the student body criticised a memorandum from the university’s Office of the Dean of Student Affairs announcing the immediate dissolution of the Students’ Union Government, Hall Representatives and all other students’ union activities.
While acknowledging the university management’s authority to investigate allegations of misconduct against student leaders, NANS argued that dissolving a democratically elected union without due process, transparency and fair hearing amounted to an abuse of administrative powers.
According to the association, the Students’ Union exists as the legitimate representative of the student population and cannot be dissolved through an administrative directive without clearly stating the allegations, conducting a credible investigation and allowing the affected officials the opportunity to defend themselves.
NANS also expressed reservations over aspects of the university’s directive, particularly the instruction compelling union officials to hand over union properties, documents and financial records immediately while simultaneously directing them to appear before an investigative panel whenever invited.
The association said the sequence of events cast doubt on the transparency, fairness and independence of the investigative process.
It called on the university management to suspend implementation of the dissolution order, respect the mandate of the elected student leaders and publicly disclose the reasons behind its decision.
The students’ body further demanded the constitution of an impartial investigative panel and urged the university to guarantee the affected officials their right to a fair hearing.
“We urge the university to refrain from any form of intimidation, victimisation or disciplinary action against student leaders for carrying out their representative responsibilities,” the statement said.
NANS stressed that it was not opposed to accountability, maintaining that any student leader found culpable of financial misconduct or any other offence should face appropriate sanctions in line with established procedures.
However, it warned that the pursuit of accountability should not be used as a pretext to weaken democratic institutions on campus or suppress legitimate student representation.
Describing the University of Port Harcourt as a respected citadel of learning and democratic values, NANS urged the institution to resolve disagreements with the Students’ Union through dialogue, transparent investigation and strict adherence to due process rather than the unilateral dissolution of elected student bodies.
The association disclosed that it had begun consultations with relevant stakeholders and would pursue all lawful means to safeguard the rights, welfare and democratic institutions of students at the university.
It reiterated its demand for the immediate reversal of the dissolution order pending the outcome of what it described as a transparent, impartial and credible investigation.
Efforts by The Atlantic Bell to obtain the reaction of the University of Port Harcourt management were unsuccessful, as the institution’s Public Relations Officer did not respond to repeated telephone calls at the time of filing this report.
