More troubles for ASUU, as Gbajabiamila denies promising FG’ll pay salary arrears

The House of Representatives on Wednesday said its Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila did not promise the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) payment of salary arrears by the Nigerian government.

This was contained in a statement issued by spokesman for the House, Ben Kalu.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, had on Tuesday accused Gbajabiamila of deceiving them into calling off its industrial action.

Osodeke also alleged that the speaker had presented a paper signed by him to ASUU leadership indicating the readiness of the government to pay in full the eight-month salaries to its members as well as attend to other grievances of the union.

Osodeke was quoted as saying: “Here we are till today, nothing has been done over the promise and that is why the Speaker did not say anything tangible since then at least on the issues let alone ensure that his promises are carried out.”

Read also:Gbajabiamila meets Buhari, disowns Reps member on stamp duties claim

Kalu, who responded to the allegation, said the speaker never promised the union such.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the House to the concerns of the lecturers as contained in the 2023 Appropriation Bill, where N170 billion and N300 billion were set side for their welfare package and revitalization of universities respectively.

“No point did the Speaker of the House of Representatives commit to offset the arrears of salaries owed to union members for the time they were on strike”, Kalu said.

“It is now clear that ASUU President had-faith approach to negotiations and his affinity for political brinkmanship are significant reasons the universities were on strike for so long”, he added.

It would be recalled that the suspension of the eight-month strike had followed the intervention by the House of Representatives led by Femi Gbajabiamila.

The union had been mandated by National Industrial Court to suspend its strike as a precondition for the consideration of its appeal.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now