The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has refuted the Federal Government’s claims that it had settled all the Union’s demands.
It also refused its directive enforcing the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking lecturers, declaring that the union will not bow to intimidation or threats.
This was disclosed by the ASUU President, Dr. Chris Piwuna, on Monday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According to Piwuna, the union remains united and resolute in its struggle, despite government attempts to divide the academic community through selective payment and threats.
He added’ “We don’t respond to threats, and nobody can threaten us.”
He accused the government of deliberately reaching out to other academic associations such as the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) in a bid to create division among university staff.
“He is threatening us, writing to NAMDA and CONUA, telling them they can get their salaries. He wants to divide us, but we are united in this matter,” he stated.
The president noted that ASUU enjoys the solidarity of other major university and tertiary institution unions, including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and academic staff in polytechnics and colleges of education.
He added “CONUA is with us, NAMDA is with us, SSANU is with us, NASU is with us. The polytechnics and colleges of education are also with us.
Piwuna further advised the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to prioritise resolving the dispute rather than issuing ultimatums.
According to him, Alausa had better sit down and solve the pending problem or he will fail in trying to divide the associations.
The president also noted that the union remains open to dialogue to solve the issue.
“Today, I received a call from the Minister of State for Labour. She said she has been directed to intervene and get this matter resolved. ASUU is willing. We are ready and available to discuss this matter once and for all,” he added.
Tension has heightened between ASUU and the Federal Government after the latter ordered vice-chancellors of federal universities to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy on all lecturers participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.
ASUU, on the other hand, began its warning strike to demand the implementation of previous agreements with the government including improved welfare, and revitalisation funding for public universities on Monday.
