The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says the ongoing strike will continue except the Federal Government meets its demands.
The Union’s position was contained in an address by the Chairman of University of Ibadan Chapter, Professor Ayo Akinwole who accused the Federal Government of deducting check off dues on behalf of the union and refusing to remit same to the union between February and June 2020.
ASUU alleged that there is an evil conspiracy among the ruling elite to wipe out public university education which provides education to over 90 % of students to elevate private universities, which he alleged they own with their collaborators.
Akinwole opines that the plan by the government to use salary stoppage to punish varsity lecturers for being concerned with the parlous state of affairs in the nations’ tertiary education has failed as members are resolved to ensure that government becomes responsive and responsible.
He said: “As of today October 4, 2020 ASUU members are been owed three months salaries. In some Universities like MOAU and UNIMAID our members have not received salary for up to six (6) month.
“The Federal Government through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has criminally withheld five months (February-June, 2020) Check-off deducted from our members salaries without remittance to the Union.
“FG has forcefully enlisted our members on the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme and has consistently been illegally deducting money for this from our members’ salaries.
“Our ongoing total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action would continue if this propaganda and lies against ASUU by appointees and representatives of the Federal Government like the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige persists.”
