Ashiru Accuses Kaduna Govt Of Propaganda Over ASUU-KASU Welfare Crisis

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Rt. Hon. Isa Muhammad Ashiru, has accused the Kaduna State Government of resorting to “propaganda” instead of addressing welfare concerns raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kaduna State University chapter (ASUU-KASU).

Ashiru, in a statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday by his spokesman, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, said the union had raised concerns over what he described as “deep-rooted systemic problems” at Kaduna State University (KASU).

According to him, the issues include the alleged loss of more than 200 academic staff to brain drain in the last three years, alongside unresolved concerns over staff welfare and working conditions.

He alleged that rather than directly addressing the grievances, the state government had in the past 48 hours resorted to public relations efforts, including statements and press conferences, to manage public perception of the situation.

Ashiru maintained that the concerns raised by ASUU-KASU were genuine and could not be dismissed through government statements or media campaigns.

He said the welfare and working conditions of lecturers were critical to the survival and development of the university system, as well as the quality of education available to students.

“A responsible government does not respond to legitimate labour concerns with propaganda. It responds with facts, dialogue and concrete action,” Ashiru said.

The ADC candidate challenged the state government to engage ASUU-KASU transparently and publish evidence of payments made, outstanding obligations, timelines and measures being taken to resolve the grievances.

“If the Kaduna State Government believes that it has fully met its obligations to KASU lecturers, then it should publish the relevant facts,” he added.

Ashiru also called on the government to end what he described as the blame game and return to meaningful negotiations with ASUU-KASU.

“Enough is enough. The welfare of KASU lecturers must not be sacrificed on the altar of political image-making. The people of Kaduna State deserve transparency, accountability and responsible governance, not public relations campaigns designed to obscure unresolved challenges,” the statement concluded.