The Presidency on Wednesday debunked reports that President Muhammadu Buhari gave the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu two weeks ultimatum to end ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in a statement said the outcome of the meeting held by Buhari on Tuesday with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to end the agitations by university unions ought to be beyond spin-doctoring and conjecture.
“It is a pity that almost all media houses allowed themselves to be deceived by interested sources that are not the authorized spokesmen of government.
“Neither during nor after the meeting was any ultimatum given to the Minister of Education,” he said.
Shehu stated that during the meeting, the Minister of Education requested that the Minister of Labour hands off the negotiation to allow him lead and conclude what he had earlier on started with ASUU.
“And he promised that he could get an agreement within the shortest possible time, possibly two to three weeks.
“In carrying out this assignment, the Minister will carry along all relevant ministries & agencies with statutory functions and duties relating to the issues involved,” he added.
According to Shehu, the Presidency is optimistic that agreements could be reached in an even shorter period if all parties/stakeholders are not unrealistically obstinate.
“We appeal to the parties to work together to end the strikes. On the part of the administration, all doors remain open for dialogue and the resolution of the issues.
“We appeal to the media not try to spread misinformation. The orchestrated media narratives seeking to present an entirely different picture, attributed to sources, in the last 24 hours are not helpful at all,” he said.
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