The ranks of those warming up to embark on a hunger strike over the long-drawn industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has crippled Nigeria’s public universities since July 1, expanded this afternoon.

The latest to join the strike is Emeka Ugwuonye, Esquire, lawyer and activist, the Group Founder/Principal Administrator of Due Process Advocates (DPA).

In an e-mail he sent to the Publisher of News Express, Ugwuonye said: “Isaac, let it be known that I would join Onwubiko on a 2-day hunger strike for the same cause.”

He was reacting to this morning’s exclusive story in News Express on the forthcoming hunger strike by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of the Abuja-based Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).

Writing on his Facebook wall, Onwubiko had said: “Watch out: I will announce the date for commencement of a two-day hunger strike in support of ending ASUU strike, reopening public universities and adequately funding them and for lecturers engaging in sex-for-marks to be identified and prosecuted by ICPC/and/or EFCC. When the date is disclosed, I will solicit your support and prayers.”

Contacted this morning, Onwubiko, who is also a Columnist with News Express, said that there is no going back on the hunger strike. He disclosed that it would hold “next week Tuesday/Wednesday,” adding: “I will issue a press release today.”

ASUU is seeking to force the federal government to fulfill an agreement reached in 2009 under which government is supposed to have committed at half a trillion naira to the country’s university sector. ASUU has rejected the N130 billion offered by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, insisting on full implementation of the agreement.

•Photo shows Emeka Ugwuonye, who has indicated interest to join Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko in his hunger strike aimed towards ending the ASUU strike.