FCT Strike: ASUSS Digs In, Refuses To Join NUT Shutdown

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has firmly rejected pressure from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to join the ongoing indefinite strike.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, ASUSS Chairman, Mr Julius Ogundiran, declared that members of his union would not be drawn into the NUT’s demands, and that academic activities would continue as normal.

The NUT commenced an indefinite strike on Monday to press home unresolved requests.

However, Ogundiran insisted that his union’s position aligns with constitutional and labour provisions guaranteeing freedom of association.

The chairman alleged that the issues agitating NUT members do not affect secondary school staff.

“Issues like wage awards and teacher vacancies have already been addressed. We are not part of these demands,” Ogundiran stated.

He further explained that other unresolved matters are already receiving attention from the FCT administration.

He stressed that primary school teachers’ welfare falls under the purview of area councils, adding, “We are paid by the FCTA, not the area councils.”

Ogundiran anchored his argument on Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every individual the right to associate or decline membership of any union freely.

He also cited Section 12(4) of the labour laws, emphasising that no one can be forced to comply with directives of an organisation they do not belong to.

According to him, the Office of the Head of Service, in conjunction with the relevant commission, has commenced the batch-by-batch release of promotion letters.

He added that engagements by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) have helped resolve several disputes, rendering the NUT strike unnecessary for ASUSS members.

Corroborating the chairman’s remarks, ASUSS Secretary Peter Afolayan debunked rumours that the association is illegal.

He clarified that the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools is a duly registered affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and is established to protect the interests of secondary school staff.