Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, has blamed the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities on the lack of compassion by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ongoing ASUU strike is one of the longest strike embarked upon by the union, it has affected the Nigerian students who are eagerly calling for the strike to be terminated for the resumption of academic activities.
Saraki, former Governor of Kwara State, recalled how during his tenures as Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the President of the eighth National Assembly brokered the much-needed peace between the ASUU and the Federal Government.
In an interview with reporters after the ‘Sallah’ prayers, he said that: “There is no way I would have allowed this ASUU strike to continue either in my capacity as Chairman of NGF or Senate President. Tell me if there is any nation in the world today, apart from those in wars that its publicly owned universities are under key and lock.
“It is due to lack of dedication and compassion on the part of some of those in power today. It is also the difference between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government and the government we are having now.”
Saraki also said that many of his party members are taking the hard posture of opposition because they have a desire to see Nigeria work again, and the goal is to make that happen through the installation of a PDP president.
According to him: “Many of us had a choice to stay in the comfort of our rooms and enjoy ourselves than taking the hardline posture of being in an opposition party. We can’t have a PDP government in power today and ASUU strike will continue for months. The only hope is to get our Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs) to vote to power a better government like ours.
“In 2019, we came out to say that APC should not be given the second chance. We all know what we suffered in the process. We need to play our role and more importantly to give hope to Nigerians. APC has failed. Nigerians should reject APC and vote PDP back to power.”
