The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIABUJA chapter disapproves of the unilateral decision made by the union’s chairman, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, to initiate an indefinite strike without the collective agreement of all members.
At the conclusion of the congress, which was held at the institution’s permanent site on Thursday, Dr. Ugoh declared that the institution would go on an indefinite strike with immediate effect.
Union members, however, declared that they would not participate in a walkout over problems that are not specific to the University of Abuja.
They characterized the chairman’s speech to the congress this morning as having a fascist air and emphasized that no member was permitted to offer a remark or an observation.
The ASUU members, in an emergency press statement released shortly after the controversial congress, said “it is very imperative to address Nigerians on the misrepresentation and sectional interest represented by the ASUU leadership of the university of Abuja in declaring an indefinite strike action over highly questionable issues.”
They claimed that a number of irregularities in the process were inconsistent with the ASUU’s announcement of a strike.
Students, parents, and the general public were reassured by the anti-strike ASUU members, led by Dr. A.G. Kari and Prof. Engr. M. G. Gana, a former Nigerian ambassador to Japan, that they would uphold the integrity of the University of Abuja’s rigorous academic calendar and keep pushing for the continuous opening of the university’s operations.
Additionally, they argued that ASUU should represent ASUU and not a secretive group that is “out to take the university of Abuja back to the inglorious yesteryears.” They further stated that it is not appropriate for ASUU to call for an indefinite strike without first getting ASUU members’ approval or disapproval.
“So, the so-called strike remains unrepresentative of the larger members of ASUU and cannot stand.” The statement added.
The press release partly reads:
“The demands of the Union upon which strike was predicated since March 2024, were two:
“Non election of provost and Deans of Faculties.
“Advertorial for the about-to-be vacant position of the Vice chancellor.
“It is note worthy that the vice chancellor since released the time table for the election of Deans in manners that it will not cripple the University activities, especially the ongoing students’ first semester examination. The process since started, four substantive Deans have been elected and by Tuesday, 7/05/2024, it will be the turn of faculty of Law as others follow appropriately.
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“If the basis for the strike was genuinely about the election of deans, would an indefinite strike facilitate the process or put it far off?
“On advertorial for the position of Vice chancellor, so far, five Federal universities have advertised for the position of Vice Chancellor and non of the five varsities. The question begging the mind of everyone, staff and the public is why would ASUU, university of Abuja alone, proceed on indefinite strike when university of Maiduguri, Usman Dan fodiyo University, Sokoto, ATBU Bauchi and others sustain the sanctity of stable academic calendar on their campuses?
“We say no to strike over issues that are not peculiar to the University of Abuja!
“The chairman ASUU, University of Abuja branch in addressing the congress this morning in a fascist manner, as no member was allowed to either comment, or make observation, mischievously brought this issues:
“1. That ASUU received a letter, re-allocating a member to the Union in the proposed UniAbuja Microfinance Bank on 15th April, 2024. This was the same bank, he and and his cult-like group had written to the Central Bank of Nigeria not to grant the University a license without any basis but to sabotage the University and the VC’s goal-driven efforts to reposition the University.
“2. Calling the promotion process illegal because the Minister of Education monitors and approves the process as directed by the visitor, President Tinubu. This was a process followed by all other Federal universities in promotion process since council were dissolved. The same process earned the local Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary, ASUU, University of Abuja , Sylvanus Ugoh, Associate Professor elevation.
“3. Describing recruitment process duly approved by the Federal Government illegal.
“This came as a rude shock to Congress as it is not known at anytime that it is the ASUU local executives that approves appointments of deserving new staff into the system. With the increasing demands for more faculty members to fill the obvious shortages, should genuinely Academic Union desirous of unfettered quality education wage war against filling faculty positions?
Obviously, the cabal dictating to the Dr Sylvanus led local ASUU desperately wanted a strike to satisfy their personal interest but NEVER the larger interest of ASUU members and the university of Abuja.
“Members of ASUU here, standing for several other members with like minds but unavoidably absent rise to reassure students, parents and members of the public that we will protect the sanctity of the University of Abuja robust academic calendar and continue to work for continuous opening of the university operations.
“We vehemently demand that ASUU must work for ASUU and not a hidden cabal out to take the university of Abuja back to the inglorious yesteryears. A decision to go on an indefinite strike without at any point, seeking members of ASUU’s vote for, or against is absolutely not the ASUU procedure for calling strike. So, the so-called strike remains unrepresentative of the larger members of ASUU and cannot stand.
“WE SAY NO TO STRIKE.”
