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ASUU has claimed that the strike action is far from over.
The NIC has ordered the striking lecturers to resume work immediately without delay but ASUU has another plan.
Justice Polycap Hamman compelled the lecturers to go back to work in his Wednesday’s ruling.
The Court invoked section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act and the national interest of the Nigerian students to grant the request of the Federal Government for an order of injunction against the lecturers.
However, the university lecturers, who have been clamouring for the payment of their withheld salaries, are not ready to give up very easily.
Appearing on Channels TV Lagos on Wednesday night, shortly after the ruling, ASUU president, Emmanuel Osodeke noted that there will be far-reaching effects of the NIC Judgment.
He said the outcome of the ruling will be catastrophic.
“Let me tell you the catastrophe of what has just happened. The last time this happened was during the military era.
“I can assure you when this strike is over, a large number of our lecturers are going to migrate from this country. When you are using force to push your lecturers to class.
“First of all, they said, ‘If we owe them, if we don’t pay them, they will come and beg us.’ For seven months, it didn’t work. Our members are still alive. And then, they went to court, you want to force them. It is a catastrophe,” Osodeke said.
Osodeke hinted that ASUU will appeal the ruling in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS has also kicked against the court ruling asking the lecturers to return to lecture rooms without any adequate solving of the problems at hand.
The students’ body announced on Wednesday that no form of political campaign would be allowed unless the strike is called off.
Addressing a press conference at Ogun NUJ Secretariat, Abeokuta, the Chairman, NANS National Taskforce on #EndASUUStrikeNow, Raymond Ojo, said the blocking of roads and ports is just a warning.
“If the government fails to conclude all the negotiation and agreement with ASUU within the frame of two weeks, they will witness more protests and rallies all over the country, they will also witness the annoyance, anger, and frustration of Nigerian students who have been at home for the past seven months.
“We promise them that we will not allow any political campaign to be held across the country until we are back to class,” he warned.
While the ASUU heads for the Appeal Court as it has already hinted, there are indications that the Government is ready to use the court order and enforce the reopening of universities.
However, Some lecturers who spoke to newsmen said they will not return to lecture room despite the NIC ruling unless their seven-month salary backlogs are paid.
However, the Federal lawmakers led by House of Representatives speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila met with ASUU before the NIC ruling and came up with some agreements.
He has promised to present it to President Buhari whenever he returns from the UN summit presently holding in the United States for Approval.