"Empty Threats That Could Not Hold Water" - ASUU Responds To Fed. Gov. Ultimatum

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Thursday described the threat by the federal government to sack lecturers if they don't return to classroom as empty threat that could not hold water. The union said it is vindicated that the Federal government was not ready to implement resolutions reached with the union. ASUU said the threat will fail, adding that Nigerian public universities need 60,000 lecturers due to government's failure to employ more capable hands into the system. The union said federal government is wasting the time of Nigerians youths by failing to perfect the resolutions and get the strike suspended. The union added it had reasons to be wary following the failure of government to honour their promises to Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, resident doctors and other health workers who have suspended their strikes. The ASUU National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, while responding to the government's directive, said the threat does not hold water as it has confirmed the fears that the federal government cannot be trusted. The don said, "With the latest action, the federal government has shown that they are not committed to all they have been saying. We are saying that since we agreed at the meeting that the sum of 200 billion naira is for 2012 and 2013 revitalisation, the federal government should deposit same in the Central Bank of Nigerian. We are already in November and December is around the corner. If they don't do that now, when do they want to do it? We are saying the non-victimization clause should be included as agreed while the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement should be included as agreed with the presidents". "It is a pity if the federal government is not willing to perfect the resolutions reached with union. This is why we find it difficult to trust our leaders by their words. How can someone be threatening to sack lecturers when universities are already short-staffed by almost 60,000. We are not in military era. The military tried it and failed. This one will fail again. They can re-open the school. ASUU did not shut down the universities. It was the management of the schools that ordered the students to go back home."