National President , Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, has described the proscription of the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki , chapter of the union as an aberration .
Ebonyi State Governor , David Umahi , was reported to have proscribed the ASUU in EBSU .
Umahi , who met with the leadership of the unions , had said , “ The decision was taken in order to ensure that academic and non -academic unions ’ activities do not negatively affect the resumption of EBSU and the commencement of academic and non – academic activities in the state – owned university . ”
But Ogunyemi explained that labour matters were not within the jurisdiction of the state governments to legislate over .
He said , “ The development is unfortunate . We are yet to get the full details . However , it is an aberration . It ’ s a confirmation that some politicians have not outgrown the military hangover more than 20 years into civil governance .
“ First , labour matters are not within the jurisdiction of state governments to legislate over because they are under the exclusive legislative list .
“ Secondly , our Constitution guarantees the freedom of association and lawful assembly for Nigerian academics as free citizens . In the third place , ASUU has only one charter which resides with the national secretariat and the branches derive their existence from the national delegates ’ conference , which is the highest organ of the union that grants charters to the branches . How then can a state governor claim to have outlawed a body that he did not establish?”
