by Ola Kay
The University of Abuja, UniAbuja chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, are now working at cross purposes following the declaration of an indefinite strike over the flawed process leading up to the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor of the institution.
Sequel to the declaration of strike action on Thursday by ASUU members, some lecturers under a nomenclature, ‘Anti-strike ASUU Members’ have dissociated themselves from the action of their colleagues.
The Pinnacle Times had reported how the Abuja chapter of ASUU announced its decision to commence strike on Thursday after holding a congress at the Permanent Site of the institution over what they condemned as irregularities in the manner the position of a new VC was advertised on a national daily, a move which they claimed detracted from the institution’s regulations.
But, the splinter group which organized a press conference immediately after notice of the strike declaration, informed that the group ( Anti-strike ASUU members) will not be part of the action.
In his address, the dean and former convener of ASUU National Political Committee, Abubakar Kari, who is also head of department, HOD, Agriculture Engineering, Prof. M. Y. Gana, accused those he claimed were dictating to Dr. Sylvanus-led local ASUU, in order to satisfy their interest but never the larger interest of ASUU members and the University community.
He said that, “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 the continuous opening of the university operations.”
Kari criticized those he referred to as cabal for resorting to call for an indefinite strike, saying, “We vehemently demand that ASUU must work for ASUU and not a hidden cabal who are out to take the university back to the inglorious pasts. A decision to go on an indefinite strike without at any point seeking members of ASUU’s vote for, or against is not the ASUU procedure for calling a strike.”
He argued that the declared strike did not represent the interest of larger ASUU members and therefore cannot stand
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