President Goodluck Jonathan Opens Up Why He Is Angry With The Union...... ASUU

President Goodluck Jonathan has explained the Federal Government’s order to lecturers of federal universities to end the ongoing strike or face sack.

He spoke Friday night at the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party caucus meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa,.

According to him, the union has refused to call off the action despite a 13-hour meeting he held with its leaders.

Jonathan disclosed that the meeting, also attended by Vice President, Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; and Ministers of Finance, Labour and Education was the longest in his political career.

“What ASUU is doing is no longer trade Union, he said. “I have intervened in other labour issues before now. Once I invite them, they respond and after the meeting, they take decision and call off the strike.

“At times, we don’t even give them a long notice unlike in the case of ASUU that were given four-day notice before the meeting. “As you are meeting to resolve trade disputes, you expect the trade unions to get their officials ready.

“What was expected having met with the highest authority in the land for long hours was for ASUU to immediately issue a statement within 12 or latest 24 hours to state their position whether they were accepting government’s offer or not.

“And if they are not accepting they state the reason why. But despite the fact that I had the longest meeting with ASUU in my political history, we did not start that meeting until around 2pm and the meeting ended the next day in the early hours of the morning.

“The supervising Minister of education only passed on the decision. What ASUU is doing is no longer trade dispute but subversive action.

“But like you rightly noted, so that we will not be perceived to be insensitive, we will consult on the deadline,” he assured.

He further thanked Bayelsans for their prayers and support, adding that “Any state the PDP is united, it will win elections. I thank you for the unity in the state.

“I’m happy that the division in other states PDP is not here. The unity is not automatic because as vice president I knew what I passed through.