The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) not to intimidate students during the anticipated demonstration against the hike in tuition fees by the University of Lagos.
The union’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Giwa Temitope, issued the warning in a statement that was made available to News About Nigeria, asserting that the students have the right to peacefully protest.
“We read with utter displeasure a statement issued by the Department of State Security through their spokesperson alleging of a plot by some politicians to mobilise students leaders for protest as regards the terrible socio-economic conditions the country has been plunged into,” the statement by Mr Temitope read.
“In the statement, the DSS was making efforts to deter students from joining protests which is an inalienable right of everyone. As a matter of fact, it is internationally recognised and domesticated with the provision of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which provides for right to peaceful assembly and association. Students, and, indeed the Nigerian people must be free at all times to protest whatever they might tag misgovernance of the affairs of the country,” it added.
Mr Temitope stated that the protest was required due to the institution’s failure to reduce its tuition rate despite committing to do so.
“Indeed, the failure of the management of the University of Lagos to honour the agreements reached at the meeting with them on Wednesday, August 2nd where they agreed to crash the new fee structure and refund students that have paid such has forced the National leadership of the association to fix a date of action at the University of Lagos for September 6th and the protest shall hold till the management reverses the hike.”
The DSS had earlier alleged plots by some elements in parts of the country to stage violent protests in order to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters.
The DSS detailed that intelligence reports indicated that the plotters including certain politicians were desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic-based associations, youth and disgruntled groups for the planned action.
