The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the Jonathan
administration for showing insensitivity to the plight on students by
throwing political jamborees even as students groaned at home as the
ASUU strike continues to linger.
In a statement released by the interim National Publicity Secretary
of the opposition party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the Federal
Government did not place education as one of its top priorities, and
preferred politicking to national development.
The party said that two mega, money-guzzling dinners had been thrown
by the Jonathan administration in Abuja since the strike started and
these were perhaps the best example of the aphorism ‘Nero fiddling while
Rome burns’.
The party said it was also in the midst of the strike that the First
Lady organised the so-called Peace Rally that brought hundreds of
unsuspecting women to Abuja in what later turned out to be a march of
shame.
The Abuja gathering which featured pop star Iyanya, APC stated, must have guzzled tens of millions of naira.
‘’Yet, some ministers had the temerity to insult the sensibilities of
Nigerians by saying the government will shut down if it meets ASUU’s
demand. What an affront!
“They did not say Nigeria will shut down when the country paid out N3
trillion in non-existent fuel subsidies; they did not say Nigeria will
shut down over the N1 trillion spent in the last eight years on less
than 500 people; they did not say Nigeria will shut down due to FG’s
monumental profligacy, which includes spending billions of naira to
pamper ex-militants, some of whom are now so overfed that they are
threatening the country’s very existence!
‘’It is particularly shocking that the government has carried on as
if everything is normal, without bothering about the fate of the
students who have been marooned at home since the strike started.
“Perhaps this is because the children and wards of those at the helm
of affairs are luxuriating in schools abroad, or because they are too
comfortable to worry about their less-fortunate compatriots,’’ it said.
APC drew attention to the fact that the strike worsened merely two
days after the President instructed his cabinet to do everything
possible within their power to end the strike.
”In fact, the negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government
were called off two days after the President issued his directive. So
much for credibility!’’ the party said.
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