In an appeal to the Senate of Ahmadu Bello University, the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the university to formally remove the degree certificate issued to Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State.
ASUU said that several of Governor El-activities Rufai's were in violation of the standards of character and learning that were required to be awarded a degree from Ahmadu Bello University, according to the union.
Haruna Jibril, the Chairperson of the ASUU, ABU Zaria branch, who spoke to newsmen in Kaduna at the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Mando, Kaduna, lamented that Governor Nasiru El-desperate Rufai's attempt to seize control of the College's land was an affront and insult to Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna's indelible legacy to public education.
"Unfortunately, we are here once more to provide you with an update on the encroachment into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) lands, which cover 196.258 hectares and are located at the College of Agriculture and Animal Science (Mando), by the Kaduna State Government, led by Governor Nasir El-Rufai," he explained.
According to him, it was quite despicable when one considers what the Governor did to citizens of Kaduna State who built houses around Al-Hudahuda College and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, on the grounds that the lands belonged to those colleges. He described the Governor's actions as "disgusting."
He went on to say that the behaviour reflects an obvious double standard as well as a mind that is out to destroy without any justification.
He recalled that on the 13th of January, 2022, their Union issued a press release in which they advised the Governor of Kaduna State to stop from what they described as "this callousness and unlawful takeover" of the property belonging to the Association of Businessmen and Entrepreneurs, Zaria.
He claimed that, rather of heeding the warning, "he (Governor El-Rufai) proceeded to demolish the College's wall as well as numerous trees."
The fact that the trees destroyed were more than fifty years old and were done so with bulldozers from the Kaduna State Urban Development Authority (KASUPDA) under the watchful eye of over one hundred well-armed security personnel is noteworthy.
This was done despite an existing Interim Court Order prohibiting the Governor and the State Attorney General, their servants, agents and privies from further entering and trespassing on the said land, which had been duly served on them by the Court."
According to him, Justice K. Dabo of the Federal High Court in Zaria issued the court order on the 18th of January, 2022, and it was signed by the President of Nigeria.
According to ASUU, the University's solicitors then issued a letter to the Directors General of KASUPDA and Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) dated 14th February, 2022, in which they warned the Governor and his agents to desist from further trespassing and destruction of the land, failing which they would institute contempt proceedings against him and his ruthless agents.
It was alleged by him that "the action of the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Governor El-Rufai, is at best sadistic and is in clear conflict with Section 49 (1) and (2) of the Land Use ACT of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Cap L5 LFN), 2004, which exempts Federal Government lands from management and control by State Governors."
Activists from ASUU advised the general people to examine provisions of the Act in order to comprehend the scope of the Governor's lawlessness.