ASUU: NLC’s Proposed Solidarity Protest Is Unlawful- Says FG

The Federal Government has declared illegal the planned protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in solidarity with the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, told state house correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

Mohammed stressed that the NLC was in no dispute with the federal government and as such considers its planned street protest illegal.

The Information Minister said that the Congress’s planned action was based on self-interest and a planned action was capable of stoking anarchy.

He insists that the NLC should insulate itself completely from politics.

Fight For Quality Education
In a letter dated July 15 and addressed to chairpersons of the NLC in the states the congress’ national president, Ayuba Wabba stated the protest is aimed at what he described as getting “our children back to school and support our unions in Nigeria’s public universities fighting for quality education”.

They designated the Labour House in the federal capital territory (FCT) and secretariats of the NLC as the takeoff points for the protest.

“We bring you fraternal greetings from the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),” the letter read,” Wabba said.

“In line with the decisions of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress held on the 30th of June 2022, we have scheduled as follows the National Days of Protest to get our children back to school and support our unions in Nigeria’s public universities fighting for quality education.

Following this declaration, some student bodies have shown their backing for the planned action

A statement, signed by the Deputy National President of NAUS, Mohammed Ibrahim, dated July 17, implored students across the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory to join in the march to end the five-month strike

“The NLC’s announcement of her resolution to stage a nationwide protest is greatly welcomed in the students’ constituency. For us, this is nothing short of a miracle; a heavenly intervention which would not have been at a better time than now. We are therefore prepared and ever ready to join in this great solidarity movement with the NLC,” it read.

“Sequel to the above, NAUS shall be part of the protest nationwide to demand the immediate resolution of issues between the Federal Government and ASUU so our students can go back to classes.”