The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Sunday, stated that the presidential primaries must not be allowed to take place until the federal government addresses the demands of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) so that the lingering strike can be called off.
The NANS president, Sunday Asefon in a statement, described the declarations by ministers to run for president in the 2023 general elections as “total disrespect” for students who are currently languishing at home as a result of the failure to prioritise education.
“We have also in the past weeks seen those saddled with great responsibility in the education sector and those saddled with responsibilities of resolving labour crises declaring interest to contest for the seat of the President come 2023,” the statement reads.
“We are surprised by their effrontery and total disrespect to the Nigerian people for having the courage to even moot the idea of contesting talkless of picking up the N100m presidential form while students languish at home because of their collective failures.
“Politicians have shown no concern for the plight of the students but are only busy in their selfish and inordinate ambitions to become the next President.
“Let me say without mincing words, the two major political parties should forget any political gathering in Abuja or elsewhere except there is a solution to the lingering ASUU strike,” he said.
Reiterating its position, NANS P.R.O Victor Ezenagu on News Central’s Breakfast Central stated: “We cannot be talking about Party primaries while our institutions have been closed…There shall be no political party primaries if the issues between the FG and ASUU are not resolved”
NANS said if measures were not taken to resolve issues and end the strike, they would ensure they frustrate the efforts of aspirants gunning for top government positions while turning a blind eye to the plight of students idling at home due to the ongoing strike.
