Since 1999, ASUU has been on strike for 50 months, claims Obi.

Since 1999, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has taken no less than 50 months of industrial action, according to Peter Obi, candidate for president of the Labour Party (LP).

The LP candidate, while campaigning in Jalingo, Taraba state, yesterday, assured that such paralysis of academic activities would be history, if granted the authority to pilot the affairs of the nation next year.

His words: “The 50 months ASUU strike in Nigeria is a setback for both the growth of Nigeria and its educational system.

“What Datti and I want to achieve for Nigeria is to make sure that there is no more ASUU strike and that we transition from consumption to production.”

Through the many untapped natural resources, he also planned to turn Taraba into an economic centre and popular tourist destination.

He said, “The undiscovered mineral riches here and the Mambilla hydro is enough to overhaul the economy of the nation and provide employment possibilities for Nigerian youngsters.”

The LP candidate, who was of the opinion that insecurity was lingering in the nation because to lack of employment opportunities, underlined his pledge to return Nigeria to her days of grandeur and make the population happy again.

Joel Ikenya, a contender for the LP’s governorship in the state who is aligning his weight with that of the presidential candidate, asked Tarabans to put aside emotion and form a line behind Obi, whom he characterized as a real embodiment of democracy.

Ikenya urged the populace to abstain from actions that would probably thwart free, fair, and reliable elections.