The National Industrial Court (NIC) judgement ordering the suspension of the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) seven-month-old strike has prompted the ASUU to announce that it will be appealing the decision.
The union asked its members to “stay calm” in a brief message after the court ruling on Wednesday.
The message was signed by Adelaja Odukoya, Chairman of the union’s Lagos Zone.
In the message, the union said its counsel had already started an appeal.
ASUU’s legal representative is well-known human rights campaigner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana.
“NIC Back to Work Order on ASUU: Be Calm,” reads the statement from ASUU. Even as it made the suggestion that the ruling will be overturned, it asked members and Nigerians to remain calm.
The following is an excerpt from the statement: “Our Comrade President, Comrade Victor Osodeke, has urged members of our Great Union to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm on the back to work order delivered earlier today.
“Our lawyer is filing an appeal and stay of execution of the judgment. Members should remain resolute and strong. A united people can never be defeated. Solidarity without compromise.”