ASUU to INEC: You can look elsewhere for ad hoc staff

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has asked the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to depend on
students and lecturers for the general election.

Deji Omole, chairman of ASUU, University of Ibadan (UI), made
this known in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Thursday.

In December, Festus Okoye, chairman, information and voter
education committee, INEC had said f the strike continued till
February, it would inadvertently affect the elections.

But Omole said even if ASUU was not on strike, its members
participation in the election would have been voluntary and subject
to each individual.

“We are not part of INEC, therefore, INEC can look elsewhere for
ad-hoc staff to conduct the election,” he said.

“What Nigerians are only interested in is a credible election
and not participation of lecturers. Even when we were not on
strike, not all our members are interested in participating in the
elections, because it is a voluntary thing.

“Whoever that feels like participating in the elections can go
ahead to participate. If you check in the letter addressed to
individuals that have participated in the election in the past, the
letter is addressed to individuals and not to ASUU.”

Omole said that the union sticks to its demand that the 2017
memorandum of understanding between it and the federal government
is followed through.

He said once there is proof of commitment from government, the
ASUU leadership would communicate with various chapters which would
further escalate it to national national level for necessary
action.