The management of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma (AAUE) on Friday evening dissolved the Students’ Union Government of the University following a peaceful protect over increment of fee for returning students.

The dissolution was contained in an internal memo which emanated from the Acting Dean of Students Community and was addressed to the Students Union Government.

Students were said to have protested on Thursday and Friday over increment of fee for returning students as against the earlier statement by the University management that there will be no increase in fee of the returning students but only fresh students.

According to the Memo, “While it is not out of place for students to exercise their right to protest, it is paramount to emphasize that there are laid down procedures to be adopted, which are clearly defined in the Student information Handbook.

“The protests of 31th August and 1^st September, 2023 by students led by the Student Union officials, which manifested in the illegal locking of the University main gate, clearly disrupted academic and administrative activities in the University, and created security tension.

“Specifically, it disrupted the commendation service for late Rev Professor Moses isunu Ailemen, which had been scheduled to take place at the International/Students Conference Center on 1th September, 2023

“To this end, the Student Union, Ambrose Alli Uniwersity, Ekpoma has completely flouted the provisions of Section 19, subsections (h) and (1) of the rules and regulations enshrined in the Student information Handbook Under subsection (1), it is clearly stated, without any form of ambiguity, that the organizers of demonstration must ensure that there is no disruption or obstruction of educational and other activities of the University including administration, lecture, tutorial, and other related events.

“Consequent on the above. The entire Student Union, Ambrose All University, Ekpoma is hereby dissolved and stands dissolved. “The Student Union Officials should return all union properties in their possession to the Security Division within 48 hours.

“All students are advised to go about their normal academic activities as all issues in contention will be resolved through dialogue and other relevant mechanisms” the statement declared.

Reacting to the dissolution, the Head, Corporate Communications and Protocols, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika said, the students have the rights to assemble and protest peacefully without hindering or posing any threat to other law abiding citizen who operate within the university community.

According to Aladenika, “For as much as these rights are guaranteed, the fact remains that the basis for protest must be factual and realistic. The students, supposedly, are protesting an increment in the school fees.

“The fact is that, it is only the fresh students that had their fees increased. Returning students bore no incremental on their tuition fee. What was added were ancillary charges like EDOHIS and sundry.

“The regular timing of students protest is another issue of concern. Check your records, protests are always carried out few days to any election in the state and the protest may have been occasioned by the Saturday local government election . This could give an indication that the ranks of the students Union may have been infiltrated and possibly hijacked by unknown interests”. (Saturday Independent)

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