The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been cautioned by the Federal Government not to defy the National Industrial Court of Nigeria’s (NICN) ruling and put an end its prolonged strike.
According to Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, the union is deceiving Nigerians by claiming to have appealed the judgment.
While discussions are taking place to settle the remaining points of difference, he urged the union to respect the court and resume work.
Ngige made known in a statement signed by the deputy director of press and public relations for the ministry of labor and employment, Olajide Oshundun
“The union is dishonest and misleading its members and the general public, that it has filed an appeal as well as a stay of execution of the order of NICN on September 2, though it has none of this,” he said.
“Rather, ASUU only filed an application for a permission to appeal the order. It also attached to the application, a proposed notice of appeal which it intends to file if the leave to appeal is granted.
“The application for a stay of execution as of this moment has not even been listed for hearing. Where then is ASUU coming from?
“It is therefore contemptuous, dishonest and misleading for the union to tell its members that it has not only appealed the interlocutory injunction by the NICN, directing it to call off strike and return to work but that it also has a stay of execution.”
The minister referred to ASUU’s request for its members to extend the strike as “unwarranted lawlessness” and said that the federal government “strongly frowns” at it.
Ngige warned of the repercussions of disobeying a court order and accused the union leadership of deceiving and misinforming its members.
The minister further disputed rumors that he left the September 29 meeting between the house of representatives and ASUU.
Ngige emphasized that, following his presentation, he left the meeting with the approval of Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker of the house of representatives, in order for him to attend to other urgent affairs.
