The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has described the ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as an abuse of democracy.
Kukah, who spoke on Wednesday at the signing of a peace accord ahead of the Osun State gubernatorial election, stated that the prolonged closure of Nigerian universities is unacceptable.
“It does not speak well of the democracy we profess to be practising. This is unacceptable especially as these things are happening in a democracy,” Kukah insisted.
The cleric advised politicians to take their responsibilities sufficiently serious while also urging Nigerians to work towards solidifying democracy in the country.
According to the bishop, it is quite sad that the strike has lasted this long particularly because democracy has always given the people a platform for negotiation, consensus and several other means for solving such issues between the government and the authorities of the various universities.
He also hinted Nigeria must come to understand that without the universities giving opportunities for academic energy, analysis, and theorizing; it is impossible for the nation’s democracy to grow.
Kukah said it is sad that the country is increasingly witnessing a transition from democratic rule to plutocracy.
His words, “the share amount of money that is being spent not just in campaigns but in just picking a piece of paper to declare intention to participate, is not acceptable.
“The majority of our people remain hungry and sick and we cannot be flaunting this wealth in a democracy, because if that is the system we wanted. We will call it a plutocracy in which case only rich men and women can participate in the process.”