The Presidency has reacted to the report that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, was issued a two-week ultimatum to resolve the dispute between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s media aide, dismissed media reports quoting President Muhammadu Buhari as giving such a directive.
Shehu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, adding that the Presidency is optimistic that agreement can be reached in an even shorter period.
The presidential aide, however, said: “It is a pity that almost all media houses allowed themselves to be deceived by interested sources that are not the authorised spokesmen of government.”
“Neither during nor after the meeting was any ultimatum given to the Minister of Education.
“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 the Academic Staff Union of Universities (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 and agencies with statutory functions and duties relating to the issues involved,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to the affected 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.
