ASUU Dares FG Over Forceful Re-opening Of Varsities
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that any plan by the federal government to forcefully reopen the nation's universities will be met with stiff resistance.
The development came as President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to personally intervene in the resolution of the impasse and has summoned the leadership of ASUU to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
ASUU chairman, University of Abuja Chapter, Mr. Clement Chup, who confirmed the invitation by President Jonathan for meeting, however, said anything short of a clear agenda for implementing the 2009 Agreement would not be acceptable to the Union.
In a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Abuja during the weekend, Mr. Chup, said any form of authoritarian approach in the resolution of the crisis would not work. He added the surest and the shortest route to industrial harmony in the university system was the fastest approach to revitalising the
system.
The UNIABUJA chairman of ASUU, stressed that the union would not in any way be intimidated into jeopardising the future of Nigerian students, and by implication, the country, through half measures or by coercion.
He said "The attention of our union is drawn to some recent reports in some media alleging that the President of Nigeria would direct the re-opening of all Nigerian universities with or without an amicable resolution with ASUU.
"We wish to state that while the President of the Federation has issued an invitation to the leaders of our union for dialogue, it will be totally unacceptable to our members if government fails to come out with a clear agenda on implementing the 2009 Agreement.
"Authoritarian posturing has never solved and will not solve the impasse. We are calling on Mr President to tow the path of honour and as a democrat, respect the 2009 Agreement.
"This is the surest and the shortest route to industrial harmony in the University system and the fastest approach to revitalising the system.
"We wish to further state that while our Union looks forward to an immediate resolution of the impasse, through government’s commitment to implement the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, we shall not in any way be intimidated into jeopardising the future of our students, and by implication, the country, through half measures or by coercion."
