The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Tuesday voted for the indefinite continuation of their ongoing strike until government meets their demands.
Our correspondent who monitored the congress meeting that took place at the Abdullahi Smith Lecture Theatre, reports that soon after the commencement of the congress, the atmosphere became tensed and emotional with members strengthening one another on the need to “fight for their right to logical conclusion.”
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Some members during the congress suggested for the continuation of the strike until a new government comes on board by stopping “any negotiation with the present administration,” our correspondent observed.
However, reading the resolution of the congress meeting after intensive deliberation, the chairman of ABU-ASUU, Professor Haruna Jibril, said the chapter is in full support of the ASUU-NEC.
He added: “We therefore resolved that the roll-over strike should be discontinued. Indefinite and total strike should be declared till the Federal Government dialogues and addresses the demands of our members.”
The congress, Jibril said, also frowned at how government agents used propaganda to blackmail the union, which, according to him, is fighting a genuine cause that would ensure the survival of public university system.
“Look at how they mischievously told the public that they have met all our demands and that we refused to call off the strike, because we insist on receiving our six months salary. This is outright lie. In fact, payment of the backlog of salaries is not part of our core demands, but because they want to blackmail us before the Nigerian public, they reduced the strike to payment of backlog of salaries,” a member said after the congress.
According to the congress, the major demands of ASUU are renegotiation of 2009 agreement, release of revitalisation fund to ensure the efficiency of Nigerian universities, halting the proliferation of state universities without adequate funding, release of white paper of the visitation panels that unearthed corruption perpetrated at different universities and the payment of the remaining Academic Earned Allowance.
Professor Jibril said ABU-ASUU is in support of the suspension of the strike anytime the government meets the demands of the union.
