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ASUU Labels Tinubu's Administration as Most Anti-Labour |
The University of Ilọrin chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday characterized President Bola Tinubu's government as the most detrimental to labour interests.
This announcement was made to journalists following a peaceful demonstration to express concerns over the nation's and the educational sector's conditions.
At the rally, the union's branch chairman, Comrade Felix Akanmu, reflected on the inauguration of the current administration a year prior, which was met with optimism for a swift resolution to their demands. He remarked that their hopes were based on the seemingly democratic actions of certain influential individuals who are now part of the government.
"We were misled by the inclusion of former protestors in the government. However, they have since adopted positions that are fundamentally anti-labour," he declared.
Akanmu emphasized, "Despite numerous attempts, the government has yet to formally engage with ASUU. Nevertheless, we are determined to save our country and will prevail."
He criticized the government for not honoring negotiated welfare agreements and for failing to adequately fund educational institutions, resorting instead to tactics of frustration, defamation, and starvation to undermine the union's efforts.
Akanmu also claimed that the governing councils and boards of universities, which had been unlawfully dissolved, are now filled with political appointees.
Furthermore, ASUU has given the Federal Government a four-week deadline to address its concerns or risk a strike.
Comrade Shehu El-Rasheed, ASUU chairman at the Federal University of Kashere (FUK) in Gombe state, informed journalists after a peaceful demonstration that the protest was due to unpaid Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), outstanding salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, and the outright rejection of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS). He stated that a strike would ensue if their issues are not resolved within the given timeframe.
Simultaneously, ASUU at Benue State University (BSU) protested on Tuesday against what they perceive as the Tinubu government's complete disregard for public universities. The union, bearing placards with various messages, paraded around the BSU campus, urging concerned Nigerians to step in before the situation escalates to another extended strike.
