Caskets carrying activists on Tuesday converged in Lagos to protest what they described as the weak standard of the educational system in Nigeria.
The activists explained that the protest was informed by the “lackadaisical attitude” which some states and the Federal Government are using to handle education in the country.
While chanting anti-All Progressive Congress and Peoples Democratic Party songs, the activists said political parties in the country have failed in representing the interest of citizens of the country.
National Coordinator, Concerned Human Right Nigeria, Mr. Declan Iheraire, who spoke on behalf of the activists, lamented that public funds were not adequately utilized for their purposes.
He said: “We are gathered to showcase two caskets depicting the wickedness of those in the casket against the masses. One casket is for PDP while the second is the Action Congress of Nigeria. You need not to wonder but be rest assured that these political parties have ways of affecting us positively or negatively.
“We looked at the negative impact of these two parties in the recent times and make our demands as it affect our public education. The Lagos State Government representing APC increased its university’s fees astronomically from N25, 000 to about N350, 000 against the wishes of the people.
“On the PDP led Federal Government, the current administration is aiming at total extinction of public education from Nigeria, if not what is difficult in honoring a common agreement duly reached and signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the FG to better the public tertiary education in Nigeria?”
The activists, however, issued a seven day ultimatum to both the Lagos State Government and Federal Government to reverse LASU’s school fee hike and release the funds demanded by ASUU respectively.
They also threatened to “bury” the two parties by preventing them from winning elections, if the educational system is not standardized.
He added: “We call on the stakeholders in APC to heed this position of ours. At the expiration of seven days, if there is no reduction we shall start preparation to bury APC for good as we have secured a grave for its final burial.
“We have also bought a casket for PDP, secured a grave and only waiting to bury its after seven days. Enough is enough to the bastardization of public education sector by both PDP and APC.”
