The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) based coalition has demanded for justice for the former Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru over an attack on him in Adamawa.
Zuru, an INEC National Commissioner was attacked by some hoodlums on Sunday while on a national assignment during the Adamawa supplementary governorship election.
The coalition, in a statement issued at a news briefing recently in Sokoto described the action as inhuman and senseless.
The statement, which was jointly signed by the ASUU, the National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT), NASU and SSANU, UDUS chapter, respectively said the briefing became imperative following the unfortunate incident.
Prof. Nuraddeen Al-Mustapha, the ASUU chairman while briefing press men said:” The assault on the former vice-chancellor was carried out in a brazen, unashamedly and disdained manner”.
He pointed further that the act depicted clear lawlessness and premeditated action by an alleged state-sponsored arsonists of democracy.
And added that the unions in UDUS were shocked to have witnessed what happened to our revered leader even as the full episodes took place at the behest and full glare of the security apparatus that were, hitherto, meant to protect or provide security to the National Commissioner.
Al-Mustapha emphasized that as unions, they will never accept mistaken identity as an excuse as they were baffled by how the incident led to the emergence of video clips depicting and or showcasing the attack in a viral manner, the union opined.
He added that the video clips were made viral in an attempt to further tarnish the hard-earned reputation of the Don adding quickly that “it is antithetical to common sense to believe that a whole state government and security agencies would watch in amusement, while an elder statesman was being manhandled in such a brutal manner”.
He, however, reiterated that it is on record that Zuru had served the university system by far for over four decades, with an unblemished record of service. The unionist then urged the INEC and the Nigeria Police to launch and follow up a full-scale investigation on the matter to unravel what went wrong and the necessary steps to be taken.
He pointed out that among other things, “INEC should issue a press statement condemning the attack and must also clear the air on the purported lies spread about the personality of Prof. Zuru, as the union believes and can vouch fully that he has never been found wanting as far as his records and antecedents are concerned.
