President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodoke, says the issue surrounding the ongoing strike by the union was made worse by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
He made the comment on Friday while responding to questions bordering on the meeting the union is scheduled to hold with the Federal government on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily Programme.
Ngige had said that the federal government will soon resolve issues on the strike by ASUU. He also noted that concerns over payment platforms will be addressed with the union and other stakeholders in the next meeting fixed for Thursday.
The ASUU president however said the union did not receive any letter from the government.
He said Ngige should remove himself from the ongoing negotiation because the minister has worsened the situation.
“We were not invited to any meeting. None of our members was invited. We have a secretariat but we never got any invitation from them,” he said.
“The problem we have with this government, especially with the minister of labour, is that if you can tell the world that you have fixed a meeting which you didn’t, how do you expect us to believe other things you have said?
“He should confirm to the world that he sent an invitation to ASUU for a meeting on Thursday.
“The minister of labour should leave us to deal with the minister of education. He was the one that made this matter worse to this extent. He was the one that decided to use hunger as a weapon when he said no work no pay.”
ASUU had been on strike since February 14 to protest the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government.
