The Academic Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) branch, says it has not pulled out of the ongoing strike as earlier claimed by the university’s management.

The union made this known in a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Dr. Peter Adamu, and Assistant Secretary, Dr. Akos Ibrahim, on Sunday.

The union dissociates itself from the purported circular released by the university management directing students and lecturers to resume academic activities on May 9.

According to the lecturers, the directive violates the position of the union in the current struggle.

The lecturers stated: “The attention of the union was drawn to a purported circular trending on social media platforms stating that KASU management has pulled out of the current roll-over strike action declared by ASUU.

“Specifically, the memo dated April 26, 2022, directed all members of staff and students to resume academic activities by Monday, May 9, 2022.

“It is imperative at this point to clarify this and properly inform and educate the public that ASUU-KASU dissociates itself from the purported circular released by the university management.

“It purely violates the position of the union in the current struggle.”

They further described the circular as a “ploy” to misinform the public, parents and guardians, and to blackmail the union.

The lecturers noted that KASU management has a right to open the university while members of the union also have the legitimate right to continue with the ongoing industrial action.

READ ALSO: KASU: Kaduna govt not involved in decision to pull out of ASUU strike

“It is important to note that the management of the university is not the mouthpiece of the Union and cannot speak on behalf of the union.

“Therefore, the union advises parents and guardians not to allow their children to resume for now until the current roll-over strike action is suspended,” they added.

The lecturers further explained that the ongoing strike is in the best interest of the university system and no amount of threat would make the branch withdraw from the current struggle.

It argued that the participation of workers in any industrial struggle is statutory and constitutional as outlined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It would be recalled that KASU management, on April 28, explained that Kaduna State Government has nothing to do with its decision to pull out of the ongoing strike by ASUU.

The management made the clarification while reacting to a report by some sections of the media that Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led administration has coerced the university’s management into resuming academic activities.

The management noted that the recent announcement on the resumption of academic activities is in line with the Academic Calendar that stipulates continuation of lectures effective from May 9, 2022.

ASUU began industrial action on February 14 to press home its demand for the implementation of its 2009 renegotiated agreement with the Federal Government.

The Star