June 23, (THEWILL) – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Federal Government of insincerity and deception in its handling of matters pertaining to public universities in the country.
ASUU also vowed to escalate its struggle against the government over its deliberate refusal to meet with the union.
The Chairperson of ASUU, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) chapter, Dr. Abubakar Mshelia, who disclosed this in Maiduguri at the weekend, said ASUU has resolved to fight for its rights and the survival of universities’ autonomy.
He accused the Tinubu-led administration of neglecting its agreements with ASUU, prompting the union to intensify its public engagements to mobilise support from students, parents and guardians.
“What is eminent to all of us is the deception on the side of the Federal Government. They are being so deceptive in the sense that we suspended these strikes with the understanding that these agreements would be fulfilled upfront. Up till this moment, I can tell you that almost nothing was done by the present administration with regard to the struggle of our members,” he said.
Dr. Mshelia urged the public to pressure the Federal Government to take action, saying the UNIMAID chapter of ASUU has joined the national body to demonstrate the urgency of the situation and the need for a united front in the face of government inaction.
“Government, in its usual insincere and deceptive ways of handling matters, has refused to formally meet with the union. So, we felt it is time for the students, parents, guardians and public to be aware of the deceptive ways of this present administration in how it handles matters affecting these universities,” he stated.
Speaking further, he said, “How about the governing councils? The governing councils had been dissolved by the Tinubu’s administration and they brought names in which we reiterated our positions that members of the councils have not outlived their terms and there were no infractions committed by them so what ground will you remove them?
“These universities are autonomous so they retrieved the names and recently released another, and that made it worse. Institutions were omitted. I can tell you that the University of Maiduguri hasn’t seen their own governing council and many other universities.”
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
Very high and kind regards!
