Counsel for the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Femi Falan, on Monday stated that his clients were ready to call off the strike.
In a brief message to Punch’s correspondent, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, also urged the Federal Government to expedite and complete its dialogue with ASUU.
He maintained optimism that the meeting between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the presidency on the issue would be fruitful.
In response to a question about the status of the ASUU strike, Falana stated, “Our clients are ready to call off the strike. The Federal Government should fast-track and finalise the negotiations.
“Hon Gbajabiamila and his colleagues in the House of Representatives have been in touch with the Presidency over the matter.
“I am reasonably confident that the consultations between the House and the Presidency will yield positive results in the interest of the striking lecturers and the students.”
Following a meeting with the presidency, Gbajabiamila stated on Friday that the house had done its part to discontinue the months-long ASUU strike and that Nigerians would hear the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), announce the overall result of the deliberations.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities to end its seven-month strike.
The order came after the court denied the union’s request for a stay of execution on an earlier National Industrial Court ruling ordering university lecturers to resume work.
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, National President of ASUU, stated that the union will study the appeal court’s decision ordering its members to return to work.
