By Divine Nwakanma
The Zonal Coordinator, Lagos Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Adelaja Odukoya, has stated that there was nowhere he stated that Nigeria needs the Labour candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, Mr Peter Obi nor did he ever call President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a slave.
Professor Odukoya, in a statement obtained by Daily Review Online said it was the handwork of fifth columnists who are bent on using the name of ASUU to pursue their political ambition.
Odukoya said the super-imposition of a fake headline over his video address which discussed different things entirely as a manifestation of the low level with which political mercenaries have descended by attempting to use the impeccable name of ASUU to pursue their ambition.
He said he could not have called President Bola Tinubu a slave, saying for the records he spoke at a programme of the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation in Africa held yesterday on the Students Loan Act at Ogba, Lagos.
“There, he asserted that Nigerian rulers behave like slaves to Bretton Woods institutions by adopting policies that demean the humanity of Nigerian citizens.
He wondered why people rationalise negative policies for the government, adding that this is what has made governments at all levels to be uncritical of importing or accepting just any policy recommended to them by IMF or World Bank.
According to him, the people in power are afraid of having an educated populace so as not to be challenged, adding that this accounted for the reason why they invest so low in a critical sector like education.
“I don’t know any labour party candidate, and I cannot speak for political parties or parties. I am ideologically stronger, deeper, and saner to make such a pronouncement.
“My Union is ideologically strong and resolute. ASUU’s philosophy and principles are clear about building an egalitarian society.
“Let no one drag ASUU or me into their politicking. What Nigerians are interested in is good and impactful governance irrespective of who is in that office,” he added.
The ASUU leader, therefore, asked Nigerians to disregard the falsehood, adding that neither did he nor ASUU speak about political preference or described President Tinubu as a slave.