In a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Chairman and Secretary, ASUU-LASU, Dr Isaac A Oyewumi, and Tony Dansu respectively, the union said it had not received any directive from the leadership of the union to endorse or support any political party.
ASUU said it was not part of the affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress purportedly planning to hold a rally for one of the major political parties in Lagos.
The union reacted as some of its members sought clarification on the speculations, a step it thought necessary as ASUU “is not a partisan union.”
“We have not received any directive from the leadership of our Union, either through the National Executive Council or the Principal Officers to endorse or support any political party. We actually do not expect any. It is not in the tradition of ASUU to play partisan politics.
“It is very obvious to the leadership of the union, especially at the branch level, that our members share divergent political views. Some are even politically indifferent. It will therefore be foolhardy for a union of intellectuals of different political temperaments to seek to decimate its own ranks by luring or coercing members into the campaign of any political party.
“The exco wishes to encourage members to take advantage of the window opened by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards, to ensure that they collect theirs, and vote for candidates of their choice when the elections come.
“We wish all the political parties well, and hope that they will not only play by the rules of the game for peaceful, free and fair elections, but also fulfill their promises to the people if and when they win,” the release read in part.
Members were further urged to continue to reach out to the leadership of the union at any point in time for clarifications on any issue about which they may feel concerned.
