Tobias Sylvester
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has lamented over the prolonged strike embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Peter Obi Laments Over Prolonged ASUU Strike
KanyiDaily recalls that ASUU had embarked on a warning strike since February 14, over the failure of the federal government to meet its demands.
Amid the strike, the government and the union have held a series of meetings, but both sides have reached no agreement on ending the strike.
Taking to his Twitter page on Wednesday, August 31, Peter Obi expressed worry over the effect of the six-month-old strike on students and tertiary education in the country.
The former Anambra governor said it’s unconscionable, worrisome, and unacceptable for the government to allow the strike to become almost intractable to the detriment of students.
Obi also lamented the ‘staggering corruption’ level in Nigeria, noting that that the country has been polarised along religious and ethnic lines.
He wrote, “Our position is that ASUU strike has lingered for far too long. It is unconscionable, worrisome and unacceptable that FGN would allow such an industrial action to become almost intractable to the detriment of our students.
It’s time for FGN to engage in collaborative negotiations with ASUU, and in good faith. -PO”
“Nigeria is vastly polarized and wracked by deep divisions along religious, ethnic and regional lines. There is a staggering level of corruption. Our universities have remained closed for six months.
“While our healthcare system remains almost moribund, power generation and distribution are also at an all-time low,” Obi added.
KanyiDaily recalls that yesterday, ASUU converted its ongoing six-month-old strike to an indefinite industrial action after fruitless and unending negotiations with the government.
