By Seyi Babalola
Students at the University of Lagos who are protesting the increase in their tuition fees claim that the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal ruling now taking place in Abuja has nothing to do with their complaints being registered.
They disclosed that the protest date had been selected well in advance of the Tribunal’s announcement of the judgment date.
Miracle Yemo, a representative for the protesting students, told newsmen, “We planned the day long before now. The coincidence that our demonstration took place on the same day as the PEPT ruling is just coincidental.
The students are requesting, among other things, the immediate cancellation of the school fee, which they claim was raised by “six hundred percent.”
Before raising the tuition, they claimed that the university administration was inattentive to the needs of the students, the majority of whom were impoverished.
The police’s assault on the students, which included the use of tear gas, was also criticized by the students.
Yemo urged their immediate release, claiming that their colleagues Femi Adeyeye, Philip Olatinwo, and Temitope Giwa were “on a peaceful course” when they were arrested.
“ They should be released. We are harmless but they threw tear gas at us. It is a non-violent protest, so we demand the release of our colleagues.”
The UNILAG’s Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Musa Obalola, in his response said the university will come up with an official communication later.
