The Federal Government has ordered the closure of all universities and inter-university centres across the country between February 22 and March 14 over security concerns.
Acting on the directive of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, the National Universities Commission, NUC, in a circular to all Vice-Chancellors of all universities and directors/chief executive of inter-university centres, urged all the universities to vacate during the election period.
The circular, dated February 3 was signed by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration, NUC, Mr Chris Maiyaki.
It was confirmed by the acting Director, Public Affairs of NUC, Lawal Ajo through a telephone conversation, saying the circular emanated from the Commission.
“Though I’m away, and have not seen the letter, I have called to confirm from the office that it is true,” Ajo said.
The circular entitled: “Ministerial directive on the closure of all universities and inter-university centres during the upcoming 2023 general elections,” reads: “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Directors Chief Executives of Inter-University Centres you are quite aware, the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday 25” February 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday 11th March 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.
“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22nd February and 14th March 2023.
“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors, as well as Directors/Chief Executives of inter-university centres, are by this Circular requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday 22″ February 2023 to Tuesday 14″ March 2023.”
The National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, had called on the Federal Government to close the schools during the elections to allow students who registered in their various homes during the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to be able to exercise their franchise.
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi had also made a case for the closure of tertiary institutions to allow over three million registered students to vote during the general election.
There had been apprehension over the security situation around the country occasioned by activities of bandits and attacks on the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in some States in the build-up to the general election.
This has been exacerbated by the fuel and naira scarcities, even though security agencies have continued to assure Nigerians all efforts have been put in place for hitch-free and peaceful polls.
Buhari Tells Nigerians Not To Vote For Politicians That Will Retrogress The Country
As activities geared toward the 2023 general elections gathers momentum, President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians against voting politicians who would drag the country back to ‘dark ages.’
He stated this during on Thursday, January 26, 2023, an event organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, with the theme: “Fighting corruption in Nigeria: The past, the present, and the future.”
Buhari said he made sure to leave behind a legacy of ‘zero tolerance,’ for corruption, adding that he expects the next administration to follow the same light.
He said, “I strongly believe that our anti-corruption agencies need to concentrate more on asset forfeiture regimes in addition to prosecution to deny looters the gains from the proceeds of their crime. All looted assets within and outside Nigeria must be recovered and used for the wellbeing of our citizens while the looters will be prosecuted and convicted if found culpable.
“In a matter of weeks, Nigerians will need to go to the polls again to elect their leaders in the general elections. I beseech Nigerians to reject politicians who would drag our country back to the dark ages in which corruption was made the order of the day.
“As I leave office in a matter of months, I have left behind a legacy of zero-tolerance for corruption for our teaming youths and to every citizen. For me, corruption is Evil and must be vehemently rejected in all ramifications by all Nigerians anywhere, anytime.
“It is by integrity, respect for rule of law, due process, and genuine patriotism that we will make Nigeria the nation of our dream.”
In the same vein, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, lamented that the judiciary has not shown true commitment to the war against corruption.
He said, “I apologize to the numerous Judges in this country who have demonstrated their commitment to the struggle, only to find their patriotic efforts set aside and dismantled at the highest level. This re-occuring phenomenon has no doubt dampened the enthusiasm of the lower Courts.
“I have no intension of going into any detail about these judicial lapses in a public forum, but I am compelled to request the Supreme Court to review the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Justice Ngajiwa v. FRN [2018] 4 NWLR (PL. 1609) 301, in which that court held that no judicial officer could be arrested and tried for a criminal offence committed in the course of his judicial duties without the matter being first referred to the National Judicial Council. In this case the Judge did not even deny that he received the bribe, yet he was discharged.
“The reverberations of that decision have been absolutely devastating on the war against corruption. All Judges under trial for corruption in several courts were discharged because of this judgment and thus, all returned to their duty stations including the Supreme Court, to carry on as judicial officers.
“It was a terrible blow to the anti-corruption agencies and the war against corruption. How does a Judge discharged on technical grounds in a charge of corruption deal within a person charged before him for corruption? What will be the fate of the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, if every professional association is given the pre-emptive right to deal with crimes committed by its members rather than being charged and tried in a court?
“The war against corruption cannot succeed in these circumstances. The Judiciary has to be committed to it, otherwise the war cannot be won.”
Source: The Nation
