Students vow to mobilize against Jonathan’s re-election

The students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife have vowed to mobilize students across the nation against President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, unless he fulfill his promise to reduce university’s tuition fees without delay. Under the aegis of the Students Union Government, they said reduction of school fees was among other demands by the students.
According to a statement by the Students Union President, Isaac Ibikunle and Secretary, Bamidele Oludare; “We in OAU may have no other option but to mobilize our rank and file against the Jonathan/Sambo second term ambition if these demands are not met immediately.
“Exigency and need for accountability demands that we remind the Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of his promise to the Great Ife community as well as Nigerian students at large.
“Nigerian students historically have permanently occupied the position of the conscience of the nation as well as the voice of the downtrodden. We have submitted a protest letter to Mr. President containing the following demands among others.
“That our hiked fees be reversed to status quo and embargo placed on increment in other federal institutions. That the welfare conditions of students be improved vis a vis construction and equipping of qualitative hostel buildings, lecture theatres, laboratories etc.
“That the Federal Government  follow the UNESCO twenty six percent budgetary allocation to education as such that education be properly funded by the government as hike in fees have become the culture of Nigerian tertiary institutions at all levels to fund themselves.
“December 28 marks one full month of the President’s visit to our campus. Your Excellency sir, we believe that our demands are the least that can be done by your government as far as education is concerned.
“We are not oblivious of the stressful demands on governance as well as efforts being made towards securing your second term in office. However, we as the conscience of the nation and the leaders of today consider meeting these few demands of ours as practically exigent national needs that could even have effect on your second term bid.
“Despite the six months of our life given to the ASUU struggle in 2013, many of us have had course to stay home for some 2 or 3 more months in 2014 due to struggles against hike in fees. We in OAU may have no other option but to mobilize our rank and file against the Jonathan/Sambo second term campaign if these demands are not met immediately.”