ASUU Strike: Why we met in Osinbajo’s office – Ngige and Osinbajo disowning him (Ngige) over the issue

As there appears to be confusion over the Federal Government team negotiating with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has dispelled the rumour of uncertainty surrounding early resolution of the face-off between the university teachers and Federal Government.

Recall that Senator Ngige had while briefing State House correspondents after the Wednesday weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting said that the Vice President had taken aspect of the negotiation and discussion with the striking university teachers.

Dr Chris Ngige

According to Ngige, “At Council today (Wednesday), the Vice President has taken over some aspects of the negotiation and discussion. So we are continuing the meeting in his office and when we finish the meeting, we will get back to ASUU with another round of meeting.

“We are hopeful that with another round of meeting, we will be able to go an appreciable extent to solve some of the outstanding issues that have prevailed them from going to work.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says contrary to the claim by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, he has not taken over negotiations with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The vice president said this today through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande.

But the vice president's spokesman, via Twitter, described the minister's disclosure as untrue and inaccurate.

Akandende emphasised that Ngige and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, continued to lead the discussions.

"News report that Vice President Osinbajo has taken over ASUU negotiations is untrue and inaccurate. Labour and Education Ministers continue to lead the talks."

The ASUU has since August 13 been on a nationwide strike over the failure of the Federal Government to implement an agreement reached with the union in 2009.

The union had also alleged that the government did not implement the Memorandum of Understanding the two sides signed in 2013.

The leadership of the union had on Tuesday boycotted a meeting with the government.