Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, claims that the Academic Staff Union of Universities‘ (ASUU) prolonged strike is the result of electing officials who are not dedicated to finding solutions to issues.
Wike who spoke as three bills were officially enacted at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, September 15, 2022 agreed that the issue causing the strike is a cumulative one, according to him, appropriate dialogue should have been able to settle the conflict.
READ ALSO: WAEC Explain Reasons For Withholding Results
However, Governor Wike, a former minister of state for education, asked ASUU to rethink some requests because no administration could meet the union’s high demands for payment all at once given the current state of the economy.
Recall that the Nigerian government had petitioned the National Industrial Court (NICN) in Abuja for an order ordering the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume operations while the dispute was being resolved.
According to Olajide Oshundun, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the subject was submitted to the Registrar of NICN by the Minister, Chris Ngige, on Thursday, September 08, 2022.
READ ALSO: ASUU Strike: Our Patience Overstretched – NANS Threaten To Occupy Ministry Of Education
According to the government, the new move follows the failure of discussions to achieve an agreement over the ongoing seven-month strike.
ASUU began a four-week strike on February 14, 2022 and has continued to extend it as discussions with the administration have failed.
ASUU announced an indefinite extension of the strike on August 29, accusing the administration of insincerity.
Unlike other university-based unions, ASUU denied the government’s request to resume while it worked on its demands.
