The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) branch has sanctioned some of its Council members for flouting the nation-wide 4-week roll-over strike declared by ASUU. A statement issued by Dr Joseph Chukwu, Secretary of ASUU, AE-FUNAI branch on Tuesday in Abakaliki, and made available to our correspondent said the members defied the strike and attended the university’s Council meeting. The statement titled, ‘ASUU Internal Members Defy Strike, Attend Council Meeting’ said that the action of the affected members was against the directive of the national leadership and spirit of the ongoing nation-wide warning strike. Part of the statement read: “The Internal Council members of AE-FUNAI, Monday, defied the ongoing one month ASUU roll-over warning strike and attended Council meeting.”The passionate appeal of the Strike Monitoring Committee to the internal members to boycott the meeting in line with the national directive on the strike fell on deaf ears as they remained adamant.”The monitoring committee had no option than to confiscate their files as a sanction and also to express their displeasure over the recalcitrant behaviour of the members.”Recall that ASUU at the end of its Executive Council Meeting held in University of Lagos in February while declaring the strike directed members not to take part in teaching, supervision and to refrain from Council, Senate, Faculty and Departmental board meetings.
“This drama brings to the fore pertinent questions: whom do the Internal Council members represent? Whom should they take orders from? Were they elected or appointed and by whom?” the statement added.Dr Ogugua Egwu, chairman of ASUU, AE-FUNAI branch joined the strike monitoring committee in the action. Newsmen report that ASUU in February declared one month roll-over warning strike to press home its demand for implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement.
