LASPOTECH, APC Members Protest Military Attacks, Imposition
The Staff of Lagos State Polytechnic, (LASPOTECH) stormed the seat of power to protest frequent attacks on their colleagues by officers of the Nigerian Army, just as members of the All Progressives Congress protested against imposition of candidates.
The protesters halt activities at Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja as they took their turns to express their grievances on the just concluded All Progressives Congress primaries for Local Government polls and attacks by the military.
The protesters, who brandished placards with different inscriptions to express their stance, chanted several anti-government songs to further indicate their dissatisfaction with happenings within the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the striking workers, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP), Akinrinlola Ibitoye, lamented that the welfare officer of the association, Adewunmi Olorunfemi and his wife were allegedly attacked by military officers without reasons, saying, they were beaten to coma.
It was gathered that while he was allegedly attacked within the school premises, his wife was beaten to stupor within their apartment.
The leader of the striking workers demanded the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, compel the rector, Mr. Oluyinka Sogunro, to immediately pay their 87 months’ salary arrears.
Ibitoye, lamented that despite increment in the institution’s monthly subvention from N153 million to N210 million, by the State Government, the Rector has allegedly continuously denied the staff their benefits.
He said, “Before the commencement of the strike in April, the Rector at a meeting represented by his deputy claimed that N340 million have been saved and that he is waiting for approval to use the fund in offsetting 16 of the 87 months arrears as stipulated in the approved CONTISS 15 migration draft.”
The chairman stressed that rather than pay workers outstanding salary arrears the Rector allegedly purchased N10 million worth of arms and ammunition, saying, “also hired within the institution “AWOL” (Absent Without Leave) Armed Soldiers numbering over 50 and member of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC numbering over 20 with charms and amulets, after the industrial unrest of October, 2016.
According to him, the crisis rocking the institution was to the inability of the leadership of LASPOTECH to allegedly manage the institution.
Addressing the protesters, The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, condemned the military attack on the workers, even as he assured the protesters that the House would commence investigation into the allegations facing the institution.
He said: “Our institution is not meant for military. Tertiary institutions in Lagos are expected to be manned by security personnel and not officers of the Nigerian army. And we expect that whenever there is any crisis, the police is in the best position to address it not soldiers.
“We will work swiftly on the issue to ensure that the crisis rocking LASPOTECH is quickly resolved.”
