The leadership of the Lagos axis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to disrupt political campaigns and make the coming weeks ugly for Nigerian politicians until the Federal Government puts an end to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The chairman of Lagos axis of NANS, Olusesi Tolulope, said on Friday that resolving the strike has already become an ego fight between the Federal Government and ASUU, saying students were the ones paying the price.
He said the students were at the receiving end of their inability to resolve all issues around the seven-month, warning that if the ruling of the National Industrial Court, which ordered the lecturers back to work was not complied with, and the Federal Government also refuses to do the needful, the society would be sitting on a time bomb.
Tolulope stressed that students could not be rendered ‘useless’ while campaigns for the 2023 general election progress.
“Our lives also count, and we won’t be afraid to make the next few weeks ugly for those politicians too,” he warned.
He pleaded with ASUU to return back to class or at least suspend the strike while negotiations with the Federal Government continue.
“Actually, Nigerian students through NANS have been more supportive of ASUU due to some of their demands, which we found logical enough and appealing to our interest. Nevertheless, there is no agreement between NANS and ASUU on putting an end to the strike,” he said.
He added that NANS expects ASUU to address Nigerian students and the general public on their position on the court ruling, which has mandated them to return to class.
“We are hoping to hear from them in the next 24 hours,” he noted.
Tolulope appealed to Lagosians to treat the rumoured impending protests on the Third Mainland Bridge and Apapa as fake news, saying NANS does not intend to organise further protests in the state.
He added that “feelings of fear, frustration and resentment should not be created in the minds of Lagos residents out of this volatile information.”
Tolulope appreciated the Lagos State government for its understanding, tolerance and provision of security during the peaceful protest that was held on Monday, September 19, 2022.