Following the failure of the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the ongoing strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to hold a meeting with the striking lecturers on the 4th of January 2019 ahead of the 2019 polls.

The meeting, according to INEC, will be limited to the involvement of their members in the 2019 general elections, THISDAY News reports.

INEC had cried out that the lingering ASUU strike would no doubt have serious impact on the preparations for the conduct of the 2019 elections.
“They are one critical resource and their absence will have adverse effects on the ad hoc requirement of INEC,” the commission stated.

INEC Commissioner, Festus Okoye said the commission is hopeful and positive that its scheduled meeting with ASUU would yield desired result.

“ASUU leadership and the leadership of the commission led by the chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, will hold a consultative meeting with the leadership of ASUU on the 4th day of January 2019.

“The scheduling of the meeting is a clear indication that both parties are concerned and determined to find a middle ground that will enable the members of ASUU to continue their additional services to the country.

“The commission wants to emphasize that the meeting with the various unions will be limited to the involvement of their members in the 2019 general elections and how to manage the current industrial action for it not to affect the patriotic contributions of staff and students in the electoral process.
“The desire and wish of the commission is that the staff and students of tertiary institutions should be in school at least a month before the 2019 general election.

“Based on this, the commission has appealed and is still appealing to all the parties involved in the negotiations to consider the overall interest of the nation and negotiate in good faith,” Okoye stated.

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