PBA ReporterThe Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to sue the Nigerian Government over the registration of two factional unions, the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).
ASUU’s lead counsel, Femi Falana SAN made this know in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday. “ASUU is going to court. It is going to be the NIC,” Falana stated.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, had on Tuesday presented certificates of registration to CONUA and NAMDA, a move that sparked another round of row between ASUU and the federal government, thereby deepening their frosty relationship.
Ngige said the two unions will exist alongside ASUU, adding that the two bodies equally enjoy rights and privileges accorded to other unions in higher educational institutions.
The federal government had dragged ASUU to the National Industrial Court over the lingering strike. The court subsequently ordered the academic union to call off the strike pending the determination of the suit while negotiation with the government also continues.
ASUU had embarked on a nationwide strike on 14 February 2022, leading to shutdown of academic activities in the nation’s public universities.
It was in the midst of the industrial crisis that the federal government approved the registration of the two academic unions (CONUA and NAMDA).
ASUU national president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke had in a media chat said registration of the two unions is inconsequential to their struggle.
Falana, however, said, the registration of CONUA and NAMDA is illegal and will be challenged in court. According to him, Trade Unions Act provides for only one union to operate in every sector.
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