The Academic Staff Union of Universities has accused the Kaduna State University (KASU) of threatening and victimising ASUU officials in the institution.

The Kaduna government owns the institution. Last year, Governor Nasir El-Rufai banned KASU students from protesting the hike in school fees.

“As a duly registered trade union recognised by law, we shall not tolerate any form of threat or intimidation against any member or official of our union for exercising constitutionally guaranteed rights of embarking on industrial actions,” said ASUU Kano Zone coordinator Abdulkadir Muhammad.

He stated that the union received a report that KASU queried ASUU branch chairman Peter Adamu and acting secretary Akos Ibrahim.

Mr Muhammad noted that the queries were vindictive because the two union members communicated the decision of the branch’s congress through the media.

“The Kano Zone of ASUU wants to re-emphasise that the ongoing national strike action of our union is patriotic and necessary for the restoration of our long-neglected university system,” said the ASUU zonal leader.

Mr Muhammad advised the university’s management against any action that could worsen the precarious industrial relations climate and sought withdrawal of the “vindictive and hastily issued queries” to the two ASUU officials.

An authoritative source in the university confirmed that the officials were queried for sabotaging efforts by management to resume academic activities.

KASU announced on April 26 that academic activities would resume on May 9 to continue the second semester 2020/2021 academic session. The university’s branch of ASUU stated on May 1, however, it had not pulled out of the ongoing ASUU strike.

The union, in its statement, dissociated itself from the circular released by the university on April 26, asking students and lecturers to resume academic activities on May 9.

The Kano Zone of ASUU covers Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Bayero University, Kano, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, and Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano. It also covers the Federal University, Dutse, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, and Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa.

 (NAN)