The spokesman of Lagos State House of Assembly, Honorable Segun Olulade has strongly condemned the action of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the Nigerian Police over its use of force to disperse lecturers protesting peacefully against the government’s neglect of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the country.
The striking ASUP and COEASU lecturers were protesting against non-settlement of their migration allowance totaling over N40 billion, neglect on teacher education and non-release of visitation white papers to various Polytechnics in the country among other issues.
In a press statement obtained by huhuonine.com on Wednesday, Olulade frowned at the way the non-violent protesters were treated. He specifically condemned the use of teargas and hot-water flush to disperse the union members.
Olulade described the protesters as matured men and women of the academia who should have Police protection, rather than been forcefully dispersed by the cops, who thereby violated their rights to air their grievances to the appropriate quarters.
“I am surprised that in spite of poor history of Police management of peaceful protests, which was met with strong condemnation in the country, this ugly incidence still re-occurs.
“Nigerians have rights to their government and when a peaceful protest is staged, I don’t want to believe that the only language understood by the Police is use of force even when the group is well organised and non-violent,” Olulade said.
The lawmaker also condemned the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyeson Wike’s statement claiming that the protest was politically motivated.
“I can’t think it is normal for anyone to refer to such protest as being politically motivated. The sector has been on strike for over 10 months,” he continued.
“Their decision to proceed to Abuja to deliver letter to the National Assembly was reached by the Union and that was reasonable and legitimate in a democratic society. But it is absurd to ascribe politics to every matter in the country even when public actions are not related to political issues in any way.”
He charged the Federal Government to quickly look into the plight of the affected education sector and live up to the task of providing standard education for Nigerians.
