On social media over the weekend, some Nigerians voiced their opposition to the call made by Emmanuel Osodeke, the president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), that the politicians who have prolonged the union’s strike should be removed from office during the general elections of 2023.
According to Mr. Osodeke, the union is mobilizing Nigerians and educating them on the benefits of using their voter registration cards.
Mr. Osodeke bemoaned the Nigerian government’s lackluster response to the agitation of his union in a recent media encounter that was broadcast by Natiomal Television.
He said that the government allowed the ivory towers to be closed in February out of insensitivity to the misery of Nigerian students, parents, and the university system.
He argued that Nigerians should vote out everybody who supported the ASUU strike during its nearly six-month duration.
We also appeal to Nigerians since this is their way of life, he said.
The best part is that they should hold their PVC in the upcoming five to six months when there will be an election. They should vote out everyone who has put them through this. Their right to do so. Use the permanent voter cards instead (PVC).
“We are organizing Nigerians. We are educating Nigerians to understand that the current group of leaders have no feelings for Nigerian citizens or for the nation as a whole. And because of this, they are demeaning the educational system by allowing the universities to be closed for nearly six months without taking any action.
Although the ASUU president avoided mentioning any figures or political parties, many Nigerians who believed his remark was meant at the All Progressives Congress (APC), the country’s present government, charged the union with using its current industrial action for political purposes.
“ASUIn order to get improved funding for the university system and higher pay for its members, ASUU went on strike in February.
The union also requests that the government switch the platform used by its members to make payments from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
According to ASUU, IPPIS is flawed and fails to take into account the unique characteristics of universities.
On July 19, President Muhammadu Buhari had instructed Adamu Adamu, the minister of education, to take over the negotiations with the professors on strike from Chris Ngige, the minister of labor and employment, as the strike continues.U is basically the education branch of PDP,” wrote @StFreakingKezy on Twitter.
If given permission, Mr. Adamu reportedly informed the President that he could resolve the problems “within two to three weeks.”
But on August 1, over two weeks after he made his promise, ASUU extended its strike for a another four weeks.
The minister would update Nigerians on the status of the negotiations with the employees union next Thursday, according to PREMIUM TIMES.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has once more urged ASUU to change its mind over the continuing strike. He was speaking through his chief of staff, professor Ibrahim Gambari.
The President stated, “The nation cannot afford long interruptions to youth higher education and would not undermine the development of the nation’s human capital in a strictly competitive world,” at a special convocation ceremony held on Friday to confer an honorary doctorate degree on business mogul Muhammadu Indimi.
Not all university-based unions are on strike, including ASUU.
Over similar demands, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Other Associated Institutions (NASU) are also on strike.
