Elections: Politicians recruit students as thugs — Sanusi

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, says it has become the norm for many politicians, in their desperation to win elections at all costs, recruit students in tertiary institutions to serve as political thugs.

The emir was speaking in Benin weekend at the 44th convocation ceremony of the University of Benin.

Sanusi, who is the institution’s chancellor, advised the youth not to allow themselves to be used for anything capable of endangering their lives and those of innocent citizens.

He also urged parents and guardians to join hands with the universities’ administration in its quest to discourage youths from being used as thugs to rig the 2019 general elections.

He commended the federal government for its sustained interest in the development of education, especially at the tertiary level.

Sanusi, however, appealed to the government to fulfil all its obligations to the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities to forestall future disruption of the academic calendar.

President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Registrar Isha’aq Oloyode, described education as a key element to the nation’s quest for industrialisation and development.

He noted that there was a great disconnect between education and industry in Nigeria.

Buhari charged university authorities to ensure due diligence and probity in the management and disbursement of resources.