The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called for the immediate reinstatement of some students who were rusticated by the authorities of Federal Polytechnic, Ede.
NANS made this declaration via a statement made available to OsunDailyNG on Wednesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The statement was signed by NANS Senate President, Afeez Babatunde Akinteye.
Akinteye in the statement said the students were rusticated for standing up to defend their rights.
The statement reads: “We strongly condemn the recent rustication of students at the Federal Polytechnic Ede by the institution’s rector. These students, whose only “offense” was to stand up and agitate for their rightful entitlements, have been unjustly punished for exercising their constitutional rights.
“It has come to our attention that the rector, instead of addressing the legitimate concerns raised by the students, has chosen a path of intimidation and further threats. The targeting of faculty presidents and course representatives with threats of rustication is not only unacceptable but also a blatant abuse of power aimed at silencing the student body.
“We wish to unequivocally state that such threats will not deter us from pursuing justice for our members. The rights of the students to advocate for their welfare and demand accountability are sacrosanct and must be respected.
“We hereby demand the immediate reinstatement of all rusticated students. Should the Rector fail to meet this demand, we will proceed with the last C of Aluta to ensure that the voices of the students are heard and their rights are upheld.”
