NANS threatens to shut Ede Poly over expulsion of students

• Gives govt five-day ultimatum to remove rector

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest yesterday gave the Federal Government a five-day ultimatum to remove the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Dr Sani Man Yahaya, over what the body called the illegal expulsion of students from the polytechnic.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Southwest Coordinator of NANS, John Alao; the zone’s Secretary-General, Sanni Sulaimon Olamide; and the Public Relations Officer, Oluwadamilola Bamigboye.

NANS said the recent expulsion of students who had peacefully protested on May 9, 2024, was a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights. It said the students were exercising their right to protest against legitimate concerns, and ‘’their expulsion without due process or fair hearing is a severe breach of justice and equity’’.

It said the five-day ultimatum, starting August 5 to 9, 2024, aims to correct this injustice and that failure to do so will result in the institution’s shutdown on Monday, August 12.

The student leaders said: “The leadership of NANS Southwest is issuing a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government regarding the unlawful expulsion of students from Federal Polytechnic, Ede. We demand the immediate removal of the current Rector, Dr Sani Man Yahaya, who has orchestrated this unjust action against our members. This five-day ultimatum starts from August 5 to August 9, 2024. Monday to Friday aims to correct this gross injustice, failing which we will mobilise to shut down the institution on Monday, August 12, 2024.

Reacting, the Media and Public Relations Officer of the institution, Sola Lawal, said: “You would recall that the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State constituted an investigation committee to unravel the mysteries surrounding the students’ crisis/rampage of Thursday, May 9, leading to the stoning of people at the senior staff club.

“The unprovoked attitude led to the vandalisation of individual and institution’s properties. This unwarranted action negates the motto of the great citadel, which is ‘knowledge, skill and character’.

“After a painstaking and thorough investigation, the following decisions were reached: 27 Higher National Diploma [HND] 1 and 2 students were expelled, eight HND 2 students were suspended for two academic sessions, and two former student union leaders were banned from entering the two campuses with immediate effect.”