The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria branch, has appealed to the Senate of the University to formally withdraw the degree certificate awarded Governor Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai of Kaduna State.
ASUU alleged that many actions of Governor el-Rufai were in contravention of the requirements in character and learning, worthy of Ahmadu Bello University degree award.
Addressing newsmen in Kaduna at the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Mando, Kaduna, the Chairperson of ASUU, ABU Zaria branch, Haruna Jibril lamented that Governor Nasiru El-Rufai’s desperate attempt to take over the College’s land was an affront and insult to Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna’s indelible legacy to public education.
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He said, “sadly, we are here once again to update you on the encroachment into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) lands, covering 196.258 hectares, situated at the College of Agriculture and Animal Science (Mando), by the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of el-Rufai.”
He noted that it was quite despicable when one considers what the Governor did to citizens of Kaduna State who built houses around Al-Hudahuda College and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, on the account that the lands belong to those colleges.
He explained that the action connotes a clear double standard and a mind set-out to destroy without basis.
He recalled that on the 13th of January, 2022, their Union issued a press release where they cautioned the Governor of Kaduna State to desist from what they called “this callousness and unlawful takeover” of the property belonging to ABU, Zaria.
He stated that instead of abiding by the caution, “he (Governor El-Rufai) went ahead to destroy the wall of the College and several trees. It is instructive to note that the trees destroyed are more than fifty years old, using bulldozers of Kaduna State Urban Development Authority (KASUPDA) under the watch of over one hundred well-armed security personnel, despite a Subsisting Interim Court Order restraining the Governor and the State Attorney General, their servants, agents and privies from further entering and trespassing on the said land, which was duly served on them by the Court.”
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He further stated that the Court order was granted on the 18th of January, 2022, by Justice K. Dabo of the Federal High Court, Zaria.
ASUU stated that the solicitors of the University thereafter issued a letter to the Directors General of KASUPDA and Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) dated 14th February, 2022, where the Governor and his agents were warned to desist from further trespass and destruction of the land or else they shall proceed with contempt proceedings against him and his ruthless agents.
He alleged that “the action of the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Governor El-Rufai is at best sadistic and is in clear conflict with Section 49 (1) and (2) of the Land Use ACT, Cap L5 LFN, 2004, which exempts Federal Government lands from management and control of State Governors.”
ASUU urged the general public to look at the provision of the ACT in order to fathom the extent of lawlessness perpetrated by the Governor.
