Students might vote as NUC orders shutdown of varsities

For students to be allowed to participate in the 2023 general elections, Nigeria’s regulating body for higher education, the National Universities Commission, has ordered the closure of all of the nation’s universities.

The NUC said that the decision was based on the directive of the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, in a letter sent to the vice-chancellors of all universities and the directors of inter-university centres, as reported by the PUNCH, on Thursday, February 9.

It reads, “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday 25th February 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday 1st March 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, respectively.

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adama Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities are suspended between 22 February and 14th March 2023.

“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors and chief executives of inter-university centres, are by this Circular requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday 22nd February 2023 to Tuesday 14th March 2023.

“Please, accept the renewed assurances of the Executive Secretary’s highest regard for your understanding and unwavering cooperation.”

Meanwhile, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, on Wednesday, February 8, commended the governors of the 36 states for supporting the Nigerian people against the Central Bank’s new Naira and cashless policies, which have caused the general populace anguish.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director, Media, and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu asserted that the Governors, particularly the APC Governors, who brought the lawsuit against the CBN and the Federal Government before the Supreme Court on behalf of the unfortunate Nigerians who must bear the brunt of the Naira redesign policy’s shoddy implementation did a commendable job.

The old N200, N500, and N1000 notes will continue to be legal money after the February 10 deadline until the case is finally resolved, according to an interim injunction issued by the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning in a lawsuit filed by the governments of Zamfara, Kogi, and Kaduna States against the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government.

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, Tinubu stated that the governors had prevented the nation from suffering from unnecessary political and economic crises and hardships, which were undoubtedly unintended effects of the central bank’s monetary policies.