ASUU Rules Out Returning To Classes Through Court Order
*To Challenge Ruling
IN its reaction to the ruling of the Industrial Court of Arbitration, ordering it to call off its seven-month old strike and return to work, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has hinted that lecturers cannot be compelled to return to classes by such an order.
Its National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said during a parley with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, likened the scenario to a court order to force a medical doctor to treat a patient.
Osodeke, accompanied by ASUU executives,
expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Mallam Adamu Adamu-led Ministry of Education, describing the seven-month strike as symptomatic of the level of decay in the university system.
He claimed that the ministry never called ASUU for a meeting to explore avenues to end the strike, saying what all his members got in return was a provocative no-work, no-pay policy.
Meanwhile, the union has indicated intention to appeal the order. In a terse statement sent to members of the union on Wednesday by the Chairman of Lagos Zone of ASUU, Adelaja Odukoya, the union urged its members to “remain calm,” saying its lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, was already filing an appeal.
According to the statement, titled; ‘NIC Back to Work Order on ASUU: Be Calm,” the union urged members and Nigerians to remain united, assuring that the order would be vacated in due course.
It stated: “Our President has urged members to remain calm, as there is no cause for alarm on the back-to-work order delivered earlier today. Our lawyer is filing an appeal and stay of execution of the judgment. Members should remain resolute and strong. A people united can never be defeated. Solidarity without compromise.”
