‘Ngige Lied,’ Osinbajo Slams Minister Over ASUU Strike Pronouncement

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described as “untrue and inaccurate,” the claim by Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, that he had taken over negotiations with striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Osinbajo refuted this claim on Friday in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

Ngige, it would recalled, had told State House correspondents, after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, that the Vice President had taken over negotiations with ASUU.

“At council today (Wednesday), the vice president has taken over some of the aspects of the negotiations and discussions.

“So, we are continuing the meeting in his office and when we finish meeting, we will get back to ASUU for another round of meeting and we are hopeful that we will be able to go to an appreciable extent to solve some of the outstanding issues that is preventing them from going back to work,” the Minister had said.

But contrary to this claim, Osinbajo, through his spokesperson, responded in the negative.

“News report that Vice President Osinbajo has taken over ASUU negotiations is untrue and inaccurate. Labour and Education Ministers continue to lead the talks,” said Akande.