The Take It Back Movement in Oyo State has called on the management of the University of Ibadan to end what it described as the continued “persecution” of three student activists, Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus, and Mide Gbadegesin, popularly known as the UI3.
The Movement made the call in a statement signed by its Oyo State Coordinator, Dimeji Salako, following recent developments in the legal dispute between the students and the University.
It criticised what it described as attempts by the University management to frustrate the students’ return to school and continued education despite the Federal High Court’s April 15 judgment ordering their reinstatement.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan had on September 14 struck out an application by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, seeking an injunction pending the determination of an appeal against the April judgment. The applicants’ counsel withdrew the applicants, while the court noted that the students had already resumed classes and that the substantive matter was before the Court of Appeal.
Reacting to the development, the Take It Back Movement said the University, as a citadel of learning, should uphold students’ rights to organise, express their views and engage with issues affecting their education.
The group also questioned the continued legal dispute, arguing that resources of a public university should instead be directed towards addressing educational needs such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels and teaching facilities.
The Movement further raised concerns about what it described as a culture of holding students accountable while resisting scrutiny of decisions taken by university authorities. It maintained that students should not be punished for engaging in activism, questioning policies or demanding accountability.
It subsequently issued five demands: an end to what it described as the persecution of the UI3; respect for the court’s judgment; an end to what it termed the waste of university resources on the matter; an end to the criminalisation of student activism; and guarantees for the safety and academic freedom of the three students.
The group said the dispute extends beyond the three students, arguing that it raises broader questions about students’ ability to question policies, demand accountability and participate in activism within Nigerian universities.
The Take It Back Movement consequently called on students, academic workers, civil society organisations, parents, alumni and other supporters of democratic rights to demand accountability from the University management.
It urged the University to respect the ongoing judicial process, allow the affected students to continue their education and keep its resources focused on its educational responsibilities.
