The Lagos State zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the governor of Lagos State and Visitor to Lagos State University (LASU), Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, to intervene in the ongoing crisis at the state’s tertiary institution.

This call was made on Tuesday, by the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Lagos Zone, Dr Adesola Nassir, at a press conference, held at the secretariat of ASUU-UNILAG branch.

The management of LASU and the university’s branch of ASUU have been engaged in a seemingly unending imbroglio since the strike embarked upon by ASUU-LASU last year, which was called off on July 14, 2014.

While lamenting the unnecessarily protracted crisis, Dr Nassir challenged Mr Fashola to step in, as a matter of urgency.

“The Visitor, as an umpire, owes it to the good people of Lagos to intervene in the crisis by sending a visitation panel, in order to address the situation. LASU has been in the doldrums for too long; that university needs a sigh of relief.

“Recall that a vote of no confidence was passed on the VC and a request for a visitation panel was made on Wednesday, November 19, 2014. Two months after, there has been no word from both the Governing Council and the Visitor to the university on the request to activate this due statutory aspect of the statutes that established LASU,” Dr Nassir added.

The union has raised a number of allegations against the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa.  Among such allegations are the withholding of ASUU-LASU check-off dues, irregular appointments and promotions, interference with the union’s internal matters, the interdiction of one Professor Tunde Fatunde and the withdrawal of the Ph.D degree of Adekunle Idris, ASUU-LASU chairman.

“Our union is disturbed that the Lagos State government has continued to turn its face away from these brazen anomalies. We, therefore, wonder what level of crisis will prompt government to act right and act fast in arresting the drift at LASU.

“For the umpteenth time, we are asking that Mr Fashola calls the LASU vice chancellor to order and at the same time set up visitation to LASU immediately. The alternative is to watch LASU snowball into more crises with the attendant implications,” Dr Nassir said.

Dr Nassir said the Union would thereafter join a rally that would be staged by the Joint Action Front (JTF) in order to further make their grievances known to the Lagos State government.

In attendance at the press conference were the National Resource Person of ASUU, Dr. Olusiji Sowande, the Lagos Liaison Officer, Dr. Asiru, and chairmen of ASUU branches – Dr. Laja Odukoya (UNILAG), Dr. Deji Agboola (OOU), Dr. Adeosun (FUNAAB), Dr Adekunle Idris (LASU); amongst other stakeholders.