The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has opposed the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) position regarding the professorial appointment of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Pantami.
ASUU had declared the appointment by the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) “illegal”, a description MURIC called “joke of the century”.
The organisation said the union has no locus standi to overrule a decision approved by an institution’s Appointment and Promotion (A & P) committee and the council.
A statement by MURIC Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, accused ASUU of trying to usurp the powers of universities.
“ASUU national should know its limits. Is there any section of ASUU constitution which empowers it to override appointments made by universities? This is an affront. No more, no less.
“The last time we checked, the power of appointment rests with A & P Committee of each university and pronouncement rests with the council.
“No university worth its salt will consult ASUU over issue of promotion or appointment. Where did ASUU national get this absurd idea?
“When last did ASUU wade into procedures for promotion or appointment of any university? What we know of is that lecturers who feel wronged on promotion issues may report their university to the local ASUU.
“Is it a witch-hunt? Is ASUU dancing to the gallery by championing the hate campaign of a section of the country? But will ASUU be able to carry all its branches along?
“Will Northern universities see things the way ASUU national sees it? The leadership will divide the body again if it continues this way. Many other universities have formed other lecturers’ associations because of bullying from the center.
“One expects ASUU national to have learnt its lesson by now. There is a world of difference between fighting the collective cause of all members and fighting your own member or a particular branch.
“This is a fight you cannot win. What came out of the conflict between ASUU national and its UNILORIN branch? Who blinked first? Ilorin dealt with ASUU national and got away with it.
“It is quite amusing that ASUU national threatened to sanction those who participated in the FUTO appointment. It is an empty threat. Unions are not held together by the force of threats but good leadership.
“Besides, Professor Pantami’s work at FUTO is a voluntary work that attracts no payment and this has a place in the rules of the civil service. Neither is the minister doing it without the knowledge and approval of Mr. President.”
MURIC insisted that appointments conducted by the A & P committee of a university and ratified by the council cannot be illegal, advising ASUU leaders not to tear the body apart.
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