Quack comment: Prof. Paiko withdraws his membership from ASUU IBBL chapter
Prof. Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, Biochemistry & Biotechnology Dept., Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL), Niger State on Sunday resigned from Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), of his institution.
According to a letter of resignation addressed to Chairman ASUU, IBBUL Chapter with the subject:WITHDRAWAL FROM MEMBERSHIP OF ASUU IBBUL CHAPTER, Paiko, sighted the recent comment of the National ASUU president Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.
Recall that Osodeke, was alleged to have referred to branches pulling out of the strike as quacks and irrelevant.
However, Paiko frowned at the comment describing it as insensitive and one that required an apology.
The statement partly read, “Please refer to the subject matter above, as it affects my membership of your branch of the National Union.
“After due consideration of recent events concerning the 6 Months’ struggle of the national ASUU, leading to the recent irresponsible and inexcusable tagging by the ASUU President of members in State Universities as “Quacks and Irrelevant”, it has become clear to me that indeed, there is a clear perception of bias, total disrespect for and class differences of members in state Universities.
“To say that the ASUU President overreached himself by buckling under pressure to engage in professional misconduct by resorting to the use of vulgar language on other members, is putting it mildly. Prof Osodeke’s outburst is not only a negative point, it is the height of irresponsible leadership, as has been asserted by many others, publicly and privately.”
He bemoaned the President’s failure to apologise, adding that Osedeke opted to blame journalists for the outcome of the interview.
“Despite all the negative press that his uncouth outburst has generated, Prof. Osedeke chooses to shift the blame to the Journalists who interviewed him, instead of taking responsibility and offering apologies, to regain the confidence of those members who felt slighted by his provocative insults. This demonstrates to me the failure of leadership and the peak of insensitivity by someone elected to pilot the affairs of our Great Union. I have thus lost confidence in his leadership.
“Sadly and more pertinently, the IBBUL branch Chairman’s responses to the call for Osedeke to apologise has been greeted by equally irresponsible opinion, suggesting that he shares in Osodeke’s gaffes and does not see anything wrong with them. This is a clear breach of the popular ASUU mantra “an injury to one, is an injury to all. ”
“Therefore, having considered these events carefully, it has become obvious to me that ASUU as presently constructed, under the leadership of Prof Osedeke at the National and Mr Kudu Dangana at IBBUL no longer represent for me platform where my grievances may be pursued genuinely. This as I have come to realise that there are first class and Second class citizens in the union. This realisation is unacceptable to me in every contemplation,” the letter said.
Paiko added, “After considering my individual position in the union, I wish to voluntarily withdraw my membership with effect from today, Sunday the 28th August 2022. By this letter therefore, I wish to place it on record that I cease to be a member of ASUU, from branch to National.
“The branch Chairman is thus intimated to kindly advise Bursary to desist from deduction of membership dues from my salary with effect from September 2022.
“I thank you all Colleagues that have been resolute in the struggle with me in the past. We have reached our junction, as I will take my own separate path from here going forward, to take my own chances not as a “Quack and Irrelevant” that all of you have accepted to be tagged.”
