Hope is dimming on the quick resolution of the labour dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, as the former registered parallel unions in the academic community on Tuesday.
The unions are the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, NAMDA, and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics, CONUA.
Public analysts are skeptical that the government’s action could lead to the re-opening of the public universities that had been shut for more than eight months.
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The move, which is seen as an effort to break the ranks of ASUU, came after a National Industrial Court had also earlier ordered ASUU to return to work, a judgement ASUU has appealed.
Last week, the FG had issued a circular directing Vice Chancellors to re-open the universities, but President Muhammadu Buhari later rescinded the decision.
This probably followed a truce between the leadership of the House of Representatives and ASUU members to break the ice.
On Tuesday, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, presented certificates to two rival unions, stating that the two unions will function alongside ASUU.
The ASUU had earlier fallen out with Ngige, who they said was not committed to seeking ways to end the prolonged strike.
Observers see the latest development as Ngige’s way to cut his own pound of flesh.
His action came the same day President Muhammadu Buhari was holding a meeting with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and some leaders of the House, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, over the industrial action.
Gbajabiamila had sought to mediate between the FG and the ASUU, after he had met with the union and other relevant government agencies for their contributions.
But with the Labour Ministry’s action, there are pointers that the gains made during the meeting between the ASUU and the Reps leadership may also be lost.
Already, ASUU has dismissed the new bodies, declaring that they do not pose any threat to its existence.
The National President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, while reacting to the development, said the registration of the factional union is unconstitutional.
“That does not in any way affect us. We are a disciplined and focused union and we know what we are doing and what we are after. Let them register as many unions as they like. That is inconsequential as far as we are concerned. We are not also in any way threatened. The sky is big enough for birds to fly.
‘‘We know our members, we know our strength and we also know what our vision and mission are. Our members are not saboteurs or bootlickers . Our struggle is for a better educational system in the country.
‘‘If the system is good, all of us will benefit and it is not only ASUU members’ children and wards that are going to benefit from improved funding and the provision of better facilities in our institutions,” he said.
On the allegation by the Presidency that ASUU members are complicit in the corrupt practices in the university system, Osodeke described such as unfounded.
“As a union, we have been championing transparency and accountability in the university system. That is why we are calling for the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS, as the payment platform in the university system. Those indicted for misappropriating over N100 billion through their IPPIS, are they our members?
‘‘Moreover, one of our demands is that Visitation Panels be set up to probe the activities and the finances of universities in the country. If we don’t want corruption stamped out, we would not be asking for that,” he explained.
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU have been at loggerheads with the Federal government over the 7-month-old strike embarked upon since February 14 this year.
To force the government to parley with ASUU for resolution, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) embarked on protests and blockage of some major roads with a promise to resume protests if the resolution of ending the imbroglio is not in sight.
