Eunice Afolabi
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has disclosed that it will appeal the order by the National Industrial Court (NIC) directing the suspension of its seven months old strike.
In a brief statement by the Chairman of Lagos Zone of ASUU, Adelaja Odukoya, titled” NIC Back to Work Order on ASUU” the union urged its members to “remain calm and united” and that its lawyer is already filing an appeal.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: National Industrial Court Orders ASUU To Suspend Strike Immediately
Adelaja said, “Our Comrade President, Comrade Victor Osodeke, has urged members of our Great Union to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm on the back-to-work order delivered earlier today.
“Our lawyer is filing an appeal and stay of execution of the judgment. Members should remain resolute and strong. A united people can never be defeated. Solidarity without compromise.”
Reacting to the development, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students and the National Coordinator of Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Hassan Soweto, noted that the verdict is unfair and shameful, saying it is a confirmation of his belief that “the judiciary is simply an arm of the apparatus of the capitalist state, just as the police and the army.”
He called on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to declare a 48-hour nationwide warning strike in reaction to the court order.
Hassan noted that the Nigerian court’s role “is to defend the interest of the corrupt ruling elite who are busy stealing the money required to fund public education.”
“At this stage, all we can say is that our solidarity with ASUU in its resolve to fight for adequate funding of public universities remains unshakeable despite this court order.
“We urge the NLC and TUC not to allow the government to use the court to frustrate the legitimate struggle of ASUU. We call on the labor movement to respond to this unfair court order by escalating action into a 48-hour warning general strike and mass protest.”
Recall that NANS has said it will obstruct political campaigns unless the government accedes to the demands of the striking lecturers, adding that it would also disrupt political rallies if the schools are not reopened before 28 September when political campaigns ahead of the 2023 general elections are expected to commence.
Addressing journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Wednesday, the Chairman of NANS National Taskforce on #EndASUUStrikeNow, Raymond Ojo, said the students are more united now to defend their common interest.
The protesting students had on Monday grounded movement along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport road in Lagos, subjecting many commuters to what they described as torture.
Mr. Ojo said the students would unleash their “anger and frustration” on the Nigerian government until public universities are reopened.
He said; “NANS will continue to ground all the nation’s public assets from roads to airports, including Nigeria Ports Authority if the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment fail to resolve with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in no distant time.
“Our blocking of access to public roads and ports is just a warning. If the government fails to conclude all the negotiations and agreements with ASUU within the frame of two weeks, they will witness more protests and rallies all over the country.
“They will also witness the annoyance, anger, and frustration of Nigerian Students who have been at home for the past seven months. As we promise them that we will not allow any political campaign to be held across the country until we are back to class.
“This government has pushed so many Nigerians Students into depression. We say enough is enough; we can no longer bear the brunt of this avoidable crisis in our nation’s public ivory towers again.”
Mr. Ojo also called on Nigerians to join them in their struggle to “rescue tertiary education from further collapse.”
“Either court rules in favor or against ASUU, the students will not relent in our resolve to disrupt government and public organizations including campaigns if our lecturers are not back to classrooms,” he added.
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