Kogi State University Students Vow To Vote Out PDP

Aggrieved students of the Kogi State University, Anyigba, have vow to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party in the state in the April 11 elections. The students are lamenting over the one-month old strike embarked upon by lecturers of the institution.

It would be recalled that the lecturers of the state-owned varsity downed tools in February in protest against the state government’s non-implementation of the new salary structure agreed upon by the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities during their last nationwide strike in 2014.

The students, who spoke with our correspondent in the state capital, Lokoja, and the school’s host town, Anyigba, on Tuesday, said they were tired of sitting at home while watching their colleagues in other schools continued with their academic work.

Ododo Reuben, who resides in the state capital and studies Economics, said nothing would stop the students from voting out the Peoples Democratic Party of the state.

He said, “I will work for the opposition to emerge in this state. I am tired of the PDP administration in Kogi State as a student.

“Strike in higher institutions of learning has become peculiar to only PDP controlled states. I believe that if we have a change in government, this incessant industrial action will stop.

“In the next governorship election, we the students of KSU are changing our leaders. We are tired of staying at home.”

For Ogwu Hassan, a student of Biochemistry, the Governor has been “too silent” on their plight.

Hassan added, “The state government has not helped our cause at all. The Governor hasn’t made any move to end this and it is really sad that we, the students, bear the brunt of all these.

“It is a pity that the governorship election is not coming up next week. I would have voted him out for another person who loves education.

“But that does not affect the State Assembly elections as I will canvass for the voting out of the PDP.”

However, Grace Ochigbo, a medical student, appealed to both parties in the strike to sheath their swords in the best interest of the students.