By Akinwale Kasali
The Federal Government’s order to Universities to resume and commence lectures immediately have generated mixed feelings among Nigerians and, especially, Social Media Users.
The FG ordered the resumption of lectures after a seven-month ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
However, the order has caused outrage among social media users, who faulted FG’s directive and decried the ongoing clash between the Union and the Government.
The Social Media space has seen barrage of criticism against the FG. A Twitter user, @kingsley wrote, “It’s so unfortunate. In 2014, the same Buhari was against Goodluck Jonathan that ASUU strike has taken too long. Now it’s his turn. No wonder they think there is a political party using ASUU because they know what they used ASUU to achieve in the past government.”
Another tweep, @sagecares, wrote, “FG is weak to meet demands but has the strength to (give) order.”
Other Twitter users decried the non-payment of lecturers’ salaries during the strike and expressed sadness about the strike’s effect on students.
@KOsaigbevo said, “Imagine a lecturer with unpaid salaries for months setting and marking exam questions. Mentally, are they ready to lecture? Plus, you can only force a horse to the river, you can’t force it to drink.
“It’s so sad to see innocent students caught up in a fight they know nothing about.”
In support, @ogundeleIsrae10 added, “Ordering them to resume without meeting their demands or paying their backlog salaries is as good as they don’t resume. You cannot force them to lecture on an empty stomach.”
Hailing the Union’s struggles, @ernesticano11 tweeted, “It is only those with same bad minds with FG that will support them in this their nonsense order. Why haven’t we heard that presidents, governors, senators, honourables, ministers and soldiers are being owed? ASUU should never back out of this journey. They must stand and fight FG.”
