ASUU Strike: Presidential primaries won’t hold in Abuja, students’ body threatens
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, on Sunday announced that political parties would not be allowed to conduct their conventions to select presidential candidates in Abuja.
The President of the apex students’ body, Sunday Asefon, brought this information to the awareness of newsmen.
Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has chosen Abuja for its presidential primary later this month. While the leading opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has equally chosen Federal Capital Territory for its presidential primary.
NANS has however challenged the political class to resolve the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU strike which has been lingering since February 14, 2022, or sacrifice their presidential primaries in the federal capital.
NANS expressed its displeasure at those in charge of efficient administration of the education sector including Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; who instead of finding lasting solutions to the crisis have decided to pick up the exorbitant N100m presidential forms of the ruling APC.
NANS President in the statement titled, ‘End ASUU Strike Or Forget Political Activities In Abuja’, said, “We have also in the past weeks seen those saddled with great responsibility in the education sector and those saddled with responsibilities of resolving labour crises declaring interest to contest for the seat of the President come 2023.
“We are surprised by their effrontery and total disrespect to the Nigerian people for having the courage to even mute the idea of contesting talkless of picking up the 100million naira presidential form while students languish at home because of their collective failures.
“Politicians have shown no concern to the plight of the students but are only busy in their selfish and inordinate ambitions to become the next President
“Let me say without mincing words, the two major political parties should forget any political gathering in Abuja who elsewhere except there is a solution to the lingering ASUU strike.
“We will frustrate all the activities leading to the selection of party candidates if we remain on strike. We also want to advise the government and the politicians who are busy campaigning to be President to either resolve the ASUU crises or give direct orders to the security operative to shoot us at the site during party conventions to select a presidential candidate. If we remain on strike, they should just forget it.”
