The presidency has disclosed that there is nothing new about the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) considering that it dates back to the Shehu Shagari administration.
It also revealed why the ongoing strike embarked upon by union has lingered for too long and even extended for another 12 weeks.
On his part, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, appealed to ASUU members to consider the plight of students and call off the ongoing strike.
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday night, Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the strike has gone on for too long because it is an endemic issue.
Adesina said the ASUU strike in the country dates back to the Shehu Shagari administration, insisting that it is not a phenomenon that would ruin President Buhari’s legacy.
The Presidential aide added that the strike has reoccured in the country for over 43 years with no solution to the demands of the union.
He added however, that the federal government is committed to ensuring a quick resolution.
He said: “President Buhari has appealed to ASUU to consider the plight of those young ones. It shows that the president is ready to have this matter resolved once and for all,” Adesina said.
“Last week, I saw something on Facebook that Alhaji Shehu Shagari was appealing to ASUU to go back to class. Alhaji Shagari ruled 43 years ago.
“That shows you that this is an endemic issue. Left to the government, the students will go back tomorrow but then the issue has to be resolved conclusively so that in another six weeks, eight weeks, or six months, we don’t go back to where we are today.
“It would not vitiate the legacy of the president in any way because this dates back in time. It was there under Shagari; it was there under Buhari as a military leader; it was there under Babangida, and it was there under Shonekan — under everybody.”
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