By Najeeb Sani
The Association of Northern Nigerian Students, (ANNS), has kicked against the indefinite suspension of a final-year student of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Promise Bitrus, calling it a violation of students’ constitutional rights.
In a statement issued to our correspondent on Thursday, by the National President of the assignment, Comrade Sani Adamu, ANNS said the university management punished Bitrus “simply for leading a peaceful demonstration over issues affecting students on campus”.
The association also faulted “the school’s decision to suspend activities of the Northern Nigeria Students Forum, popularly known as GAMJI Students, at MAU”.
ANNS described GAMJI as a key platform that promotes unity, student welfare and academic dialogue for Northern students in the institution.
According to the group, the university’s action amounts to “a direct assault on the rights to free speech, peaceful protest and association as enshrined in Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution.”
It added that “treating peaceful agitation as a crime will only breed more frustration and unrest on campus.”
ANNS has given the management of Modibbo Adama University 72 hours to immediately and unconditionally reverse Promise Bitrus’ suspension, restore the activities of GAMJI Students at MAU while resolving any internal issues through due process, and put an end “to the harassment and intimidation of students who take part in peaceful and lawful protests”.
The group warned that if the university fails to meet the deadline, ANNS would work with other student bodies across the country to stage a large-scale peaceful protest to demand justice.
ANNS stressed that it stands for peace, dialogue and respect for the rule of law, and urged the school authorities to prioritise students’ welfare and campus stability.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, NANS and other stakeholders to step in and ensure fairness.
The association noted that student leaders serve as a link between management and the student body, and that punishing those who speak out sets a troubling precedent