By Adesina Soyooye
In a very strong protest letter, soaked in shock and anger, the Usman Danfodio University, UDU, Sokoto, has lamented the humiliation of its Professor and former Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, on Sunday, in Yola, Adamawa State by members and sympathizers of a Political Party.
Professor Zuru, on National assignment for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, during the Governorship Supplementary Polls, was mistaken for the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Hudu Yunusa Ari, and attacked and beaten to a pulp.
Trouble started when Ari inexplicably usurped the job of the Returning Officer, Professor Muhammed Mele, and announced the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aishatu Dahiru Binani, as the winner, and so, Governor-elect of Adamawa State.
The provocative announcement was made when collation of votes was still ongoing, and the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, incumbent Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, clearly in the lead.
The REC’s action triggered protests and violence and Professor Zuru became a very unfortunate, innocent victim.
In his lamentation over the attack on Professor Zuru, the Vice Chancellor of UDU, Professor Lawal Bilbis, in a statement on behalf of the entire UDU Community, which he personally signed, described the incident as barbarism and humiliation “carried out on a rare gentleman.”
Prof Bilbis was at a loss why such a “rare gentleman whose cherished national and international reputation of uprightness and selfless service to humanity could be assaulted by people who lack morality.”
He appealed to the Federal Government to quickly go after those behind the attack and give them the deserved punishment.
The statement reads in part:
“I received, with utmost shock, the horrible news of the gory and horrendous attack unleashed against Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru while on national assignment at Yola, Adamawa State.
“Professor Abdullahi Zuru rose through the ranks to become the 8th Vice Chancellor of UDUS from 2014 to 2019.
“The bizarre attack was not only disrespectful and dehumanizing, but has also brought untold mental torture and trauma to Professor Zuru and his family.
“It is an attack against the collective conscience of all right thinking individuals across the globe.
“‘In strong, clear, and loud terms, the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto condemns the dreadful attack perpetrated by a certain specie of mankind without morality.
“On behalf of all staff and students of the University, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to launch a speedy and incisive investigation with a view to uncover, apprehend and prosecuting the masterminds and field agents of the dastardly attack within the shortest possible time. We are optimistic that the Federal Government will not allow the incident to wither away with time.
“Though the attackers have executed their nefarious agenda, what they have, however, failed to realize is that their actions will never rob Professor Zuru of his hard-earned respect, honour and integrity.
“We hereby wish to identify and commiserate with him and his family in this trying time.
“‘We join hands in extending our heart-felt sympathy to him and wish him a speedy recovery from the injuries sustained in the attack.
“We also pray to Allah SWT to grant him and his family the fortitude to overcome the inflicted trauma”.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, 20th April, 2023, suspended Ari from office, and directed the Inspector General of Police to institute an investigation into Ari’s action.
He, also, directed the IGP, the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS and the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, to investigate the role played by their officers present during the debacle in order to punish any of them culpable the appropriately.
Fintiri was, on Tuesday, finally, declared the winner of the Poll by Professor Mele, and so, re-elected for a second term in office.
