ASUP plans nationwide protest for April 29

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on Wednesday, said it had concluded plans to stage a nationwide protest over what it described as government’s insensitivity to its lingering strike.

The National President of the union, Dr. Chibuzo Asomugha, told newsmen in Abuja that the protest would take place on April 29.

This is coming on the heels of Kebbi state chapter of the union’s decision on Tuesday to call off the 10-month old strike.

Asomugha said failure by the Federal Government to meet the demands of ASUP and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the consequent shutdown of the nation’s public polytechnics and colleges of education was worrisome.

“In fact, we are planning for the protest on April 29 and if it doesn’t come up on the 29th, then it would be immediately after May Day.

“We have been waiting for the federal government. The strike should have been suspended about three weeks ago but we haven’t heard from them.

“So, with this kind of development we do not even think there is any measure of sincerity on the part of the government’’, he said.

According to him, the strike has lingered and members are beginning to give in to pressure.

“Ten months into the strike, some chapters are coming under pressure but there are provisions in our constitution to take care of such betrayals.

He expressed confidence in the resilience of ASUP members.

He said the union would hold final meeting on the proposed strike with the Nigeria Labour Congress and other stakeholders.

Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, had in a meeting in February with the union, accused it of thwarting government’s efforts at resolving the strike.

The government later set up another committee, headed by the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, and was yet to convince the striking lecturers. (NAN)