Following the recent statement credited to Education Minister, Nyesmson Wike who said that any lecturer who refused to return to work on or before December 4 would be sacked, the President of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, ASUU chapter chairman, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Aliyu, has said that even the President Goodluck Jonathan, has no power to sack them.
Speaking yesterday, the ABU ASUU chairman, said No minister, and even not even the President, hold the power to hire or fire.
“Nobody can tell us to go back to work. If they think they can get other lecturers, let them go and get them. We are not going back and we are ready to be dismissed by the minister. But even the President cannot sack us. Even the President has no place in the university when it comes to employment issues.”
According to Dr. Aliyu he said; “During the military era, General Babangida tried what this man [Goodluck Jonathan] is saying, but did not succeed. And let us see how they would succeed. Tell them to do the right thing, but if they feel that they can threaten us, let them go ahead and see where it will take them..
“It is unfortunate that these are the types of people we have as leaders. The welfare of the citizens is not their business. Because they learnt that we have voted for an end to the strike they thought that they can intimidate us. I was one of those that voted for an end to the strike, but I would not obey the directive, and let us see what would happen. They have starved us for over four months, and now they are threatening us. We are waiting for their dismissal,” he concluded.
