You removed subsidy yet can’t pay ASUU – Atiku to Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday accused President Bola Tinubu’s government of perpetrating one of the most cynical economic deceptions in Nigeria’s recent history.

Atiku said Tinubu’s government removed fuel subsidy which caused a lot of trouble for millions of families but cannot pay the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

In a statement by Phrank Shaibu, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, the former vice president said that ASUU’s new threat to strike shows the dishonesty behind promises that savings from subsidies would be used to support education and stop the ongoing problems in universities.

He said: “A government that takes away relief from citizens, does not offer real social support, and doesn’t fulfil the basic promises it made has lost the right to talk about asking people to sacrifice.

“Families are having a hard time because food is getting more expensive, travel costs are really high, energy bills are going up, and their incomes are not as big as before.

“Instead of helping Nigerians deal with the problems caused by its economic choices, the government has mostly left them to handle everything on their own.

“That is what makes the present university crisis indefensible. The Government removed the cushion, collected the supposed savings and imposed the hardship, but Nigerians cannot see the corresponding improvement in their schools, hospitals or everyday lives.

“More than three years later, lecturers are still raising concerns about unpaid salaries and unresolved agreements. ASUU is again warning of industrial action.

“University infrastructure remains inadequate, while millions of young Nigerians compete every year for limited admission spaces. So where is the money?”