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Tag: ASUU

  • 2019: Ganduje campaigns for Buhari’s re-election

    Overwhelmed by the feats achieved by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state moves his campaign train for Buhari re-election bid, in the forthcoming general election, to the 44 local government areas of the state, revealing to the electorate that Buhari would continue with the good projects and policies he started when given the mandate for the second time.

    Starting from Tudunwada/Doguwa federal constituency, Ganduje, while at the palace of the District Head of Doguwa, where all other village heads including Imams were converged, informed them about the many projects cutting across all the six geo-political zones, executed by the federal government.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is a leader whose love for Nigeria Superceded any other presidential candidate from all the opposition parties contesting against him in the forthcoming presidential election, ”

    Ganduje urged them to continue praying for the peaceful conduct of the general elections, emphasising that, “It is with your prayers that this government is able to achieve what we are witnessing now. While at the same time we have a leader who is focused and has the political will to deliver.”

    Read Also: Principals laud Ganduje on members’ promotion

    Ganduje continued that, “We are here today to convey the message of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, that, Nigeria is the only place we have on earth. So we must remain resolute to see to the genuine and sustainable development of our fatherland. This can only be possible when we come together and elect those that have the country at heart.”

    As Ganduje’s tour entered its sixth day, he has covered 13 local governments areas, campaigning for Buhari with incessant urge, for the strong reason that Buhari loves Nigeria more than any other presidential candidates.

    Governor’s unprecedented confidence in President Buhari, makes him to take more than half of the time he spends talking to the traditional leaders, when he visits them at their palaces, canvassing for unflinching support for Buhari.

    Even on the podium, he urges people, to first see the reason why Buhari deserves second term, as he speaks with all sense of responsibility and commitment, governor Ganduje repeats the same message in all the local governments that,

    “Our dear President Muhammadu Buhari has directed me to come and convey his message to you that, APC government at all levels brings succour to Nigerians. Our party will continue with the good work it started when given another chance.”

    The tour is designed in such a way that, governor with his campaign train move around local governments under federal constituency arrangements, daily. So far he toured Doguwa/Tudunwada, Kunchi/Tsanyawa, Takai/Sumaila, Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya, Dambatta/Makoda and Karaye/Rogo federal constituencies.

    In all the places he touches he says “Kano state promised to give President Muhammadu Buhari 5 million votes. We should strive and make sure that we give him what we promised when the election comes.”

    “We should also make sure that we elect APC candidates as legislators, that will help him to continue with his developmental projects and programmes. He needs good legislators that will put heads together with him for the overall development of our dear nation,” Ganduje says.

    He challenged that whoever is interested in a peaceful Nigeria with good leadership, that is focused and committed, should vote Buhari for the second term, into office, insisting that, “This people-oriented President is a leader we can all trust.”

    While at the palace of the District Head of Dambatta, who is also the Sarkin Bai of Kano, and the Kingmaker of the Emirate, Alhaji Mukhtari Adnan, after urging all the District Heads and Imams to continue praying for Buhari’s victory in the coming election, Ganduje urged them to work hard and inform all their subjects to go and collect their permanent voters card.

    In his remarks, the Sarkin Bai, commended the governor for developing the state and for the achievements recorded in all the sectors of the society, “We are also aware that, you are doing well in the area of human development. We appreciate what you are doing in the state.”

    For this reason, he added “You deserve another term of four years. We are solidly behind your candidature. And we shall tell people to support you.”

    He added that, people like Ganduje who respects people of all ages and social status “…need to be encouraged in their public responsibilities. Because supporting Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for second term is a project that all should accept.”

    All chairmen of the visiting local governments believe that governor Ganduje is a performing governor, whose vision and interest in the development of the state, takes him to higher level both politically and in governance.

    Projects executed by his administration, ranging from road construction to renovation or upgrading of health facilities, among other things, are some of the many reasons why many people believe that, his (Ganduje) achievements are enough reasons for him to get re-elected even without him going round for campaigns.

    No local government, that he goes without either commissioning completed projects or inspecting ongoing projects. In Makoda local government, the governor commissioned two health facilities. One in Makoda town and the other one in Chidari, that was renovated and fully equipped with modern health care equipment, at over N400 Million.

    In Sumaila local government, it was not only the chairman of the local government, who attested to what the administration of Ganduje was able to do, the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, commended the governor for an all-important Gani Bridge, hospital in Rimi town and other projects executed.

    .In all places the governor visited, he urged people to make sure that they collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) for their support to be realistic and meaningful. He then calls electorate to make sure that they vote for the APC at all levels of elective position.

  • ASUU restates conditions for ending strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has insisted that until certain conditions are met by the Federal Government, its members will not return to work.

    A key condition, according to the striking lecturers, is that government must show concrete evidence of the payment of at least N50 billion revitalisation fund.

    Another condition attached to the suspension of the strike is “the presentation of concrete evidences of the payment of the promised N20 billion earned academic allowances and showing how the balance of N85 billion will be paid with timelines”.

    ASUU President Prof Biodun Ogunyemi spoke with reporters in Ibadan, Oyo State ahead of today’s meeting between the union and government’s team.

    Ogunyemi added that the union’s members have said that only concrete implementation of conditions by the government would make them return to the classrooms.

    The union also said it has lost confidence in government making promises, which it would not keep to after agreements have been reached.

    ASUU, according to Ogunyemi, has rejected government’s proposal of N20 billion (to be paid in two tranches) for the revitalisation of universities.

    The union is asking government to mainstream the earned academic allowances into the 2019 budget, which is still being worked on by the National Assembly.

    He lamented that the ruling class did not see education as a priority but prefer to create new education colonies of private educational institutions, which, according to him, cannot meet the needs of Nigerian children.

    Ogunyemi said: “We want them to pay immediately N50 billion as a sign of commitment this quarter and for the next three quarters government can pay N50 billion in each quarter.

    “Some of our members have rejected the N20 billion proposed by them that will be spread over two quarters in 2019. Our members have insisted on the release of at least N50 billion.

    “In relation to earned academic allowances, which they have an outstanding N105 billion, our members are saying that even if you (government) are releasing N20 billion, let it be stated clearly that it is only for ASUU members and the balance, which you promised to pay in four instalments, attach timelines to the balance and figures.

    “In 2017, this government promised to mainstream the earned academic allowances into the budget so that we won’t be coming to talk about arrears. If government had put that into the 2018 budget, we would not be talking about arrears now.

    “Our members are saying government should take steps to mainstream it into the 2019 budget and that is not late because they (National Assembly and executive) are still working on the budget.”

  • Strike: ASUU has not made fresh demands — Ogunyemi

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to show concrete evidence of commitment to agreements on meeting its demands on its on-going strike..

    Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President, said in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that the union would communicate its decision on offers made by the government on Tuesday.

    Ogunyemi said that contrary to some media reports, the media reports, the union did not reject the offer of Federal Government or make fresh demands.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, after meeting with the union on Jan. 4 said government was about resolving the dispute with the lecturers who embarked on strike on Nov. 5, 2018.

    Ngige said the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant- General of the Federation had provided evidence that N15.4 billion for the payment of salary shortfall in public universities.

    He also noted that there was evidence that Mr President had approved N20 billion to offset the outstanding arrears of the 2009 and 2012, audit verified earnings in the university system.

    Ngige, however, said the fund was being worked on and would be released to ASUU as soon as the process was complete, among other demands of the union.

    “We have been reviewing the offer made by the government and we have concluded our consultations with our members.

    “We have concluded our consultations and hopefully by tomorrow we are going to transmit the feedback from our members to the Minister of Labour and Employment.

    “What we said was that we are not insisting on having the total package.

    “We are saying if government could give us one out of the five tranches on the revitalisation fund it will be a kind of bending backward in the interest of the students and national interest.

    “So, rather than insisting that government should release a total of one trillion naira which we know is not feasible, government can, at least, give one tranche that can be spread over four quarters, starting with the first quarter now.

    “This is the shift that the media are misinterpreting to mean a fresh demand. There is no fresh demand on our list whether you are talking of revitalisation or earned academic allowance, ‘’ Ogunyemi said.

    On the issue of earned academic allowances, he said government had promised to release N20 billion and that the balance would be spread over four instalments but without stating timelines.

    Ogunyemi said members of the union were insisting on having timelines for the payments.

    “Our members are also saying government had also promised to mainstream and that promise is not new, it was a promise of 2017.

    “Our members have also noted that government had promised that the earned academic allowance will be paid within the mainstream budget which they also promised to do in 2018, yet they did not do it

    “Our members are saying if you are promising again in 2019, let us see the evidence, which is clear enough,” he said.

    Ogunyemi also said that members of the union were demanding to see money of salary shortfall paid into their accounts although they had seen the evidence of approval on paper.

    He said the members of the union were demanding for concrete evidence on all outstanding areas that involved payments.

    ” Our members are saying let us see concrete evidence that government has paid not that government will be promising that it will do this and will do that.

    “We did that with the N20 billion in 2017, government promised to release N20 billion in two instalments for September and October, 2017, that never happened until we went on strike in 2018.

    “So, our members are saying, let’s go beyond writing anything on paper.

    “Like I said earlier, on the issue of revitalisation, our members are saying we should not stop at tokenism,” he said.

    Ogunyemi said that ASUU had shown a lot of commitment and called on the government to commit itself by paying one year’s tranche. (NAN)

  • ASUU: our members can voluntarily participate in 2019 polls

    THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said yesterday that its members can voluntarily participate in the 2019 general elections processes.

    ASUU, however, said its members must not use any material that bears its name or insignia that relates to the union.

    The union also said the offer from the Federal Government in an effort to meet its demands as contained in the 2017 Memorandum of Action (MoA) is still fluid and far from expectations.

    In Bulletin 8 issued by the union’s president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, a copy of which was obtained by the University of Ibadan ASUU chapter, asked members to await further developments on the strike.

    According to Ogunyemi, the proposal from the government towards resolving ASUU’s demands as contained in the 2017 MoA “is still fluid and far from expectations”.

    Read also: ASUU bars members from 2019 elections

    The bulletin read: “Though some progress has been made with respect to discussion with government agents (the Minister of Labour and Employment as well as Minister of Education), at the moment, the proposal from the government towards resolving the demand of ASUU as contained in 2017 MoA and Strike Bulletin 1 is still too fluid and far from expectations. Hence, it is the view of the NSCC that members should await further developments, which are rapidly unfolding.

    “In accordance with the ASUU’s long standing position, ASUU as a union will not participate in the conduct of 2019 general elections, although members may voluntarily participate in the conduct of the elections. However, members are prohibited from participating in the election processes using any material that bears ASUU or relates to the union.”

  • OAU flays ASUU, schedules exams

    Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have been re-assured that nothing would disrupt the 2017/2018 Rain Semester Examinations as the University Management have put machinery in motion to make it hitch-free.

    In a statement, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, noted that the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was not effective in the institution contrary to the union’s claims.

    He said: “The general public is quite aware that the 43rd Convocation Ceremony for the 2015/2016 and 2016/3017 graduating sets of the University was successfully held from Tuesday, 11th to Friday, 14th December, 2018.  Even statutory meetings of the University such as senate, Administrative Staff Committee meetings, Appointments and Promotions Committee (A&PC) meetings, Development Committee meetings, Junior Staff Committee meetings and the Procurement Committee meetings all held as scheduled.

    “In addition to all these, the University played host to several national and international conferences including a very unique one on the Application of Information and Communications Technology to Teaching, Research and Administration held from November 11-14, 2018.  The faculties of Clinical Sciences, Environmental Design and Management and Social Sciences successfully had their annual conferences and Faculty weeks.  During the period the nationwide strike commenced and now, there has been a flurry of academic, research and social activities, unprecedented in the history of our university.”

    Olarewaju noted that no fewer than 20 of the 1,300 lecturers in the institution’s employ were not teaching, adding that their courses had been reassigned.

  • Minimum wage: FG, labour meeting inconclusive again

    Negotiation between the Federal Government and organized labour on the N30000 minimum wage remained inconclusive at the end of another round of meeting last night in Abuja.

    Both sides are scheduled to reconvene on Monday to take a final decision on the grey areas.

    Labour Minister Chris Ngige told reporters at the end of a five-hour long meeting yesterday that substantial progress had been made in the discussion and that all that is left is a final resolution.

    Ngige said there was no deadlock as the two sides agreed on most of the issues tabled for discussion and only adjourned to allow for further consultations.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari wanted the issue thrashed out and he would not have set up the tripartite committee on the minimum wage if he was not interested in the matter in the first place.

    Also speaking,  NLC President  Ayuba Wabba dismissed any idea that the meeting was deadlocked.

    His words: “the meeting decided to adjourn and reconvene on Monday for us to do further consultations before the issues are concluded. We have discussed all the issues and all the areas, particularly how we can ensure that the issue is put behind us.

    “That is why we took such a long time, including having a timeout to consult.  But we have not been able to conclude and we have agreed to reconvene to tidy up the process.

    “The issue is stake is to make sure that the bill is transmitted and also other auxiliary issues that government says they are trying to put together. We also want to see how the money gets into the pocket of our workers because a lot of economic factors have affected the current wage.

    “But the major issue is that we have been able to have a meaningful social dialogue.  But the process is not conclusive and will reconvene on Monday.

    “Monday is not too far from now since today is Friday.”

    He said the outcome of Monday’s meeting would determine whether labour would proceed with its planned rallies on Tuesday.

    Continuing, he said: ”Part of the report that was submitted is all inclusive of the main report and draft bill.  But those processes which they need to ensure that a clean bill is transmitted to the National Assembly and what they now termed some physical issues are what we will tidy up on Monday. So, let us wait for that Monday.”

    The meeting started at about 12.50 pm with several breaks in-between to allow for consultations with stakeholders including President Buhari.

    The Nation gathered that the Labour leaders insisted on a definite date when the government will transmit the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly,  a decision the three ministers present could not take on their own.

    Addressing the meeting earlier, Ngige said the President was committed to giving Nigerian workers a new minimum wage.

    He said however that in addressing the issue,  the government wanted to ensure that the new minimum wage was sustainable.

    He said “I do realise that this is still part of the Christmas period and that people are still on holiday. You can see the two Ministers in charge of government resources.  The Minister of Budget and National Planning and the Minister of Finance.  Mr.  President specifically asked them to be part of this meeting. We had to cut short our vacation because of the need for us to discuss.

    Read also: Minimum wage: NLC, TUC urge Buhari to emulate ex-president

    “You know that people can go to war when there is a lack of information and in the process,  people can misconstrue and speculate. We called this meeting as a result of the communique issued by the joint Labour Centres after your Executive meeting in Lagos when you informed the government that you are not happy with the implementation processes of the report of the tripartite committee.”

    President of the NLC,  Comrade Aruba Wabba who spoke for Labour said organised has always wanted all issues of industrial relations resolved through dialogue,  adding that the issue on ground has nothing to do with money,  but the process leading to the final outcome.

    Wabba said “Clearly, we have always believed in social dialogue in resolving industrial relations issues.  From the beginning of the issue of this new national minimum wage which was legally due in 2016, labour has demonstrated enough patience and understanding and has followed all the processes to make sure that we are able to dispense with this issue.”

  • ASUU: Time to reconsider

    •Concessions show strength, not weakness

    As the total and indefinite strike called by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters its eighth week, it is time for the union to reconsider its position in the light of new developments.

    The issues that have arisen include the Federal Government’s injection of funds into its universities, the urgent need for ad-hoc officials to help supervise next month’s general elections, and imminent protests by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    The Buhari administration has reportedly released N15.89 billion to universities for the payment of salary shortfalls, and is said to have set aside an additional N20 billion as revitalisation funds for them. While this is a far cry from the N2 trillion which represents the financial implications of ASUU’s demands, it is a start.

    The union must realise that its demands, though just, must be situated in their proper context. ASUU is just one of several unions in the tertiary education system; its needs cannot be considered in isolation from those of other stakeholders and interest groups which are just as important. Even as government is negotiating with ASUU, it is also in talks with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), which went on strike last month due to the non-implementation of previously-signed agreements.

    There is simply not enough money in government coffers to fully accede to all the demands of all the unions in the tertiary education sub-sector alone, not to mention the legitimate requirements of other labour groups in other sectors of the economy. This is a reality ASUU must take cognizance of as it considers its options.

    Then there is the issue of the forthcoming elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to ASUU to call off its strike to enable it utilise university students as ad-hoc electoral officials. The union’s National President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, has responded by saying that no institution had a monopoly of national interest.

    The irony of this statement is that it applies with as much force to ASUU itself as it does to INEC. Given the critically-important nature of the general elections, is it really fair that one union’s issues should jeopardise the forthcoming polls?

    Elections in Nigeria have always been troubled by long-standing logistical and other challenges; a perceived shortfall in electoral officers can only compound an already-bad situation, and create room for electoral malpractices whose consequences can only be imagined.

    As if this were not enough, matters are about to become even more complicated as NANS has begun to mobilise for mass action on January 7 against the Federal Government, ASUU and ASUP to protest strikes which it says have negatively affected students in publicly-owned tertiary institutions.

    It is clear that the industrial action initiated by ASUU on November 4, last year, is beginning to manifest consequences with ramifications that extend far beyond the narrow confines of the union’s specific demands. It could further aggravate industrial unrest; it might seriously jeopardise the elections; it is drawing in other actors whose actions cannot be predicted.

    ASUU must balance the legitimacy of its demands against its patriotic duty to the nation of which it is such a crucially-important component. The union’s nationalism has never been in doubt; the steadfastness with which it has fought for the enthronement of democracy, due process and rule of law through the years is there for everyone to see.

    Stepping down its industrial action in the interest of industrial harmony, facilitating the elections and halting student demonstrations would simply be yet another demonstration of its undisputed commitment to the greater good of Nigeria rather than a tame “surrender.” It would demonstrate a welcome preparedness to meet government half-way and set a standard of behaviour that other unions could emulate. It would show, above all, that ASUU has never sought to put its own interests ahead of critical national requirements.

  • Govt, ASUU resumes talks next Monday

    THE Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are to resume talks on the lingering varsity teachers’ strike next Monday, ASUU’s National President Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, hinted yesterday.

    He, however, said that the union has not been briefed on the alleged payment of N15.89 billion to universities by the government, two months after it embarked on strike. Ogunyemi spoke in Lagos while reacting to reports that the Federal Government had on the eve of the New Year, released N15.89 billion to universities.

    The report stated that the fund was for the payment of shortfall in salaries of universities.

    He said: “Well, someone actually drew my attention to that newspaper report. I have not received any formal letter from Federal Government, conveying such information to us.

    “The only information I got from the Minister of Labour this afternoon when we spoke was that they have done something concerning our demands; what they have done, I do not know.

    “The other thing he told me was that there is going to be a meeting between us (ASUU) and government on Monday.

    “It is only when we get to the meeting that we will be able to know what government has done and if it is okay by us, then we will convey same to our members who will now take the next line of action,” he said.

    ASUU member had, on November 4, 2018, embarked on what they had described as ‘comprehensive, total and indefinite nationwide strike’ to press home their demands.

    The lecturers were protesting against alleged non-implementation of agreements they entered into with the Federal Government in 2013 and 2017.

    They were also agitating the poor welfare, poor funding, and general decay in education infrastructure, among others.

    Since the commencement of the strike, members of the union had met with the Federal Government six times, to find a way forward to the issues, all ending in a deadlock.

  • Strike: NANS wants ASUU to return to negotiation table with FG

    The National Associa-tion of Nigerian Students (NANS) wants the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to go back to negotiations with the federal government.

    The association reacting yesterday to a statement by ASUU threatening not to honour any further invitation for a meeting with the federal government said negotiation is desirable.

    “There is need for ASUU to continue its negotiations with the federal government to find a common ground to resolve issues that led to the union’s ongoing strike,” NANS National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, said in a statement in Enugu.

    He added: “We consider this decision as devilish and not in the best interest of Nigerian students. We wonder how the lingering disputes will be resolved if meetings are boycotted.

    “We are calling on the leadership of ASUU to reverse its decision and consider returning to the negotiation table.”

    The students’ umbrella body urged the lecturers to work towards resolving the dispute and suspend the strike before Jan. 1, 2019 in the interest of Nigerian students.

  • ASUU, ASUP strike and 2019 elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) may affect the 2019 general elections, if not resolved now. There was a twist to the tale when the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) threatened to “wade” in if their teachers did not return to work in two weeks, reports ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA.

    When the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began its indefinite strike on November 5, many thought the matter would be settled in no time. But the strike has dragged for over one month and there appears to be no end in sight. To compound matters, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has also been on strike since December 12.

    The fear of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the strike could affect the forthcoming general elections, if not suspended before the polls, has heightened calls for the resolution of the matter.

    INEC is eyeing over one million ad hoc workers for the election, which begins in February, 2019. The bulk of these workers would comprise lecturers and students of Federal Government tertiary institutions nationwide as well as National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

    But, according to the election umpire, this may no longer be  because of the strike.

    Last weekend, ASUU said there was no going back on its action. At a briefing on Sunday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), ASUU National President Prof Biodun Ogunyemi urged the government not to drag ASUU into the election.

    Ogunyemi implored the government to, among others, “demonstrate serious commitment to implement the spirit and letter of the 2009 Federal Government/ASUU agreement and consider the implementation of the 2013 and 2017 Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the union”.

    “All we are asking for is the improved infrastructural development of Nigeria’s public universities to be globally competitive,” Ogunyemi said at the briefing.

    He said it was not true that the strikes would affect the February 2019 elections.

    ASUP too has vowed not to back down until its demands are met. The strike followed the government’s alleged failure to implement its agreements with the union since 2016.

    According to ASUP leadership, its members too would not bulge, if the lingering issues between the union and the government were not addressed before the elections.

    This development has left INEC with only one option; to co-opt students.

    But the NANS’ threat to “wade” into the strike may not make that option feasible.

    ASUP National President Comrade Usman Dutse told our reporter that it was only ASUP-NEC that could direct members to return to the classsrooms, adding that that seemed unlikely now until their meeting with the government on January 10, 2019.

    “It is true that some of our members are actually mobilised during general elections. But in view of the strike, I am not in a position to decide whether this (mobilisation) will be possible or not.” Dutse told The Nation on phone on Sunday.

    “Besides, it is only ASUP-National Executive Council (NEC) that can take a final decision on that. We already have a meeting with the Federal Government on January  10. After the meeting, ASUP-NEC will deliberate on the next line of action,” he added.

    Usman claimed that despite the 21-day ultimatum by ASUP to the government to address some of the issues, it had been nonchalant in acceding to the demands for improved funding for polytechnic education.

    Also, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the students’umbrella body, at the weekend, vowed to disrupt the general elections if their teachers were not settled. NANS demanded that all parties sheathe their swords two weeks or face a showdown.

    The students’ body said having appraised the issues between ASUU and Federal Government, and applied two of its three ‘Cs’ (Consultation and Consolidation), the body is left with no other alternative than to apply the last C (Confrontation).

    In a statement, the NANS National President, Comrade Danielson Bamidele Akpan at the weekend,  threatened to ‘engage in a mass protest to grind down activities across the country, and ‘’mobilise over 100,000 students to also shut down the Federal Capital Territory’’.

    The students leaders also said ASUU members must be ready to vacate their various staff quarters on campus. ASUU members, NANS insisted, should pay the students  from the salaries that they did not work for.

    NANS added: “Finally, we are determined to carry out these actions to the fullest if our campuses are not reopened at the expiration of this ultimatum. We, therefore, urge the Federal Government and ASUU not to test our resolve as students have been patient and taken for granted too far too long.”

    In a telephone chat with our reporter, Danielson said should the strike persist, many of their members would have been disenfranchised by the time the election is held.

    “Truth is, many of our members registered close to their campuses for ease of voting. But many of us are now home due to the strike and we cannot travel to our schools to exercise our franchise during the election period. This is the time many of us are also prone to violence because they are idle,” he told The Nation on phone.

    He continued: “The end of the year is usually like graduating period and while the New Year serves as the beginning of a new academic session. This means many of our members due for graduation may not graduate, let alone being mobilised for the mandatory NYSC. This also means they may have to pay tuition in the next academic session. Who takes care of that?

    “We felt these people are just toying with our future and it’s about time we took our destiny in our hands.”

    But in an interview, Ogunyemi said ASUU would attend a meeting with INEC Chairman on Friday, January 4.

    He said the union had not decided if it would deal with any member who chose to work with INEC, in case ASUU did not to pander to INEC’s request.

    “We have not yet discussed whether we will sanction our members who choose to work individually for INEC, if our strike still persists.

    “We have a plan to meet INEC that has invited us on January 4. We wish to see what INEC has in store for us. We shall then take INEC messages and get back to our members.”

    During a workshop organised by INEC, in conjunction with the United Nations in Abuja last week, the Commission’s Chairman of Information and other Education Committee Festus Okoye, had expressed concerns that the burden of recruiting ad hoc workers could not be shouldered by NYSC members alone.

    He said: “It is next to impossibility for members of NYSC to provide all the ad hoc staff needs and requirements of the commission, and over 70 per cent of ad hoc staff requirement in some states of the federation are drawn from students of federal tertiary institutions.

    “Hence the lingering strike by ASUU will no doubt have serious impact on the conduct of the 2019 elections. We, therefore, call on ASUU and the Federal Government to resolve the lingering impasse that had led to uncertainty in the education sector.

    “The national interest, the interest of our democracy and the reputation of Nigeria demand the immediate resolutions of the issues that led to the strike and we so urge.

    “It is important that students in federal tertiary institutions should and must be in school at least a month before the February 16 presidential and national assembly elections. They are a critical resource and their absence will have adverse effects on the ad hoc requirements of INEC.”