Kaduna declares KASU-ASUU strike unlawful

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Friday declared as unlawful the strike embarked on by the Kaduna State University (KASU) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

According to a statement by the Governor’s Spokesman, Mr Samuel Aruwan, the KASU branch of ASUU confirmed that the branch had joined the nation-wide strike as full members of the national union.

He said that there was no trade dispute between the state government and ASUU. “This is unacceptable to the state government. It is an anomaly that employees can be on strike without declaring a dispute with their employer.

“It bears restating that Nigeria is a federation of states and no trade union can alter this federal reality by imposing on an employer – a state government – the terms that federal employees have agreed with the Federal Government.

“The Kaduna State Government is neither affected nor bound by any dispute, disagreement or agreement ASUU may have with the Federal Government.

“As a sub-national entity, the Kaduna State Government is separate from the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Constitution of Nigeria clearly attests to this.

“It is the considered view of the Kaduna State Government that the KASU branch of ASUU has embarked on an unlawful strike,’’ Aruwan said.

According to him, the Kaduna State Government is not liable for salaries and allowances for the period of the unlawful strike.

“The government shall proceed to initiate the necessary disciplinary steps in accordance with the Kaduna State Public Service Rules.

“With respect to individual’s act of commission or omission by those that choose to join or persist in an unlawful strike,’’ he said.