Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has described as laughable and unfounded the rumour that the ongoing strike is politically motivated to disrupt the 2019 election, even as the union vowed not to suspend the ongoing strike due to government’s insincerity and un-seriousness in addressing the contentious issues.
Biodun Ogunyemi, president of ASUU, who blasted the Federal Government for its negligence on issues of such magnitude, said the only thing that would make ASUU to shift ground was demonstration of serious commitment on the part of government to the implementation of the spirit and letters of 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, as well as the resulting 2013 MoU and 2017 MoA.
Ogunyemi stated this Sunday at a briefing held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) ASUU secretariat, where members, zonal and chapter heads congregated in solidarity for their struggle.
According to Ogunyemi, “Since the commencement of our industrial action on November 4, 2018, we have had six meetings with agents of the FG, with no clear commitment from government to resolving all the affected issues. Government appears to have adopted the ‘keep-them-talking’ strategy, while deceiving the pubic that progress was being made, and that partial agreement had been reached between the government and the union.
“Through its press interactions, government through its representatives had falsely raised the hope of the Nigerian public on the state of discussion without union. Our expectation from a very responsive and sincere government is that by now, all outstanding issues would have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. Unfortunately, government is yet to show sincerity in addressing the problem.”
He said fulfilling the agreement signed with the union will pave way for the rapid transformation of Nigeria’s public universities for improved efficiency, infrastructural development and global competitiveness.
He continued, “Nigerians should please note that, as at today, there are no concrete commitments on the part of government to warrant considering the suspension of this strike action, which we did all that was possible to avoid.
“We appreciate the understanding of our students, their parents, among whom are many ASUU members, and all people of goodwill since the resumption of this preventable strike action. ASUU does not take your sacrifice for granted. With your continued support, we can make the Nigerian ruling class come to accept the centrality of university education in improving the human condition.”
On the accusation that the strike has political undertone, Ogunyemi said, “In 2013 when we had a six months strike, the then Goodluck Jonathan’s government said opposition was sponsoring us, today that opposition is in power, who is sponsoring us? We are not perturbed because we see all these as distractions.
“To us, it is not an issue. For those accusing us of planning to abort the election, it is unfounded and there is no basis for it. Our strike has nothing to do with election. We do not want to create problem for this country, but let government not create problem for itself.”
